NEW YORK – A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted 24 members of a criminal organization, known as “Murda Moore Gangstas” or “MMG,” for racketeering, narcotics and firearms offenses.
Authorities said the gang terrorized residents and others in and around the Moore Housing Projects in the Bronx, New York.
“Keeping our neighborhoods safe and secure from gang violence remains one of this Office’s highest priorities,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Cases like this one, where we worked closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners to charge 24 leaders and members of a violent gang that allegedly terrorized the Moore Housing Projects in the Bronx, can make a big difference.”
According to the indictment unsealed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, this is what happened:
From 2006 through 2014, MMG has been a criminal enterprise consisting of more than 20 gang members who were involved in street robberies, assaults, and sales of crack cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs. MMG was started by five individuals including:
- Tevin Mizell, aka “Tev Gunz”
- Kevin Mizell, aka “Kev Gun”
- Edwin Smith, aka “Ed Black”
- Joshua Fladger, aka “Millz”
The defendants are known, within MMG, as the “Top Five.”
Later, other defendants, including Richard Shackleford, aka “Sha,” and Amar Taylor, aka “Capo MMG,” became leaders within the gang.
MMG members protected and controlled its territory in and around the Moore Housing Projects through violence, and committed various crimes within and around that territory, like shootings, robberies, assaults, and narcotics trafficking, officials said.
In particular, officials said MMG members have been embroiled in a continuing violent feud with several rival crews and gangs located nearby in the Bronx, such as gangs from the following areas:
- The Betances Houses (the “Lookin’ Real Good,” or “LRG,” gang)
- The Riverpark Towers Houses (the “RPT” gang)
- The Millbrook Housing Project (the “Killbrook Up” and “Killbrook Down” gangs)
- The Highbridge Gardens Houses (the “Young Flybridge” gang).
In addition, officials alleged that MMG members also sold narcotics in the Moore Houses, and stopped outsiders and rival gang members from doing so in their territory.
Similarly, many members of MMG committed street-level robberies, either of drug dealers or people, in and around the Moore Houses, according to authorities.
Also members and associates of MMG obtained, possessed, and used firearms.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until or if, they proven guilty.