NORFOLK, Va. — Nine alleged members of a violent East Coast street gang have been charged in a federal racketeering case accusing them of carrying out a deadly ambush, retaliatory shootings, armed carjackings and other crimes.
A second superseding indictment unsealed Tuesday charges the defendants with offenses that include conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, racketeering murder and attempted murder, and firearms violations.
Federal prosecutors identified the defendants as alleged members of Cautious District, a subset of the Immaculate Balla Family, commonly known as the Makk Ballers. The group is affiliated with the United Bloods Nation, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors allege the gang operated in eastern Virginia, Maryland and Delaware and participated in killings, shootings, robberies, drug trafficking, violent assaults and weapons offenses.
The defendants are:
- Christopher Clovis-Weathers Monfiston, also known as “YB” or “Twin,” 34, of Chesapeake.
- Tyvon Lyncurtis Smith, also known as “Rich Fargo,” “Cautious” or “Teddy,” 34, of Parksley.
- Ky’riq Nygee Weathers, also known as “OG Kane,” “Riq” or “Rico,” 29, of Parksley.
- Markiece Obryant Harmon, also known as “Issue,” 41, of Hare Valley.
- Zyshon Bell, also known as “Problem,” 24, of Temperanceville.
- Travon Bell, also known as “Lil Sav” or “Sav,” 22, of Parksley.
- Antoine Muhammad Beverley, also known as “Psycho,” 30, of Onancock.
- Quaizal Kellam, also known as “Sleaze Da Fox,” “Front,” “Frontline” or “Qui,” 25, of Exmore.
- Kemyrion Boggs, also known as “38,” 22, of Onancock.
Smith, Monfiston and Weathers were charged in the original indictment. The other six defendants were added following further investigation, prosecutors said.
Deadly ambush alleged
According to the indictment, members and associates of Cautious District were expected to retaliate against rival gangs.
Prosecutors allege that Smith, Monfiston and Weathers coordinated a trip from Virginia Beach to a residence in Accomack County on Feb. 13, 2024. They allegedly hoped to confront a rival gang member whom they believed had assaulted Weathers two days earlier.
The three men allegedly hid in nearby woods before ambushing another person and shooting him multiple times. The victim died from his injuries.
Smith, Monfiston and Weathers each face a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the charges connected to the killing.
Sleeping man shot inside home
The indictment also describes two alleged attacks against the home of a rival gang member’s father.
Smith, Boggs and other alleged gang members reportedly fired at the house on Jan. 19, 2024, in an attempt to draw the rival gang member out of hiding.
Prosecutors allege Smith, Weathers, Zyshon Bell and others returned on Feb. 11, 2024. Bell and another person allegedly looked through the windows to locate a sleeping man before firing dozens of rounds into the house.
The gunfire struck the man and left him partially paralyzed, according to prosecutors.
Authorities also linked the alleged gang to other shootings targeting vehicles and homes associated with rival groups, as well as robberies and armed carjackings.
Investigators seized numerous firearms while executing search warrants. Prosecutors said forensic testing connected some of the weapons to shootings attributed to the gang.
Zyshon Bell faces up to life in prison if convicted. The remaining defendants face maximum sentences of 20 years.
The Accomack County Sheriff’s Office led the yearslong investigation with Homeland Security Investigations.
The case is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia under case number 2:25-cr-00140.
An indictment contains allegations, not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
🔴 Quick Fact Checklist
🔴 Defendants: Nine alleged gang members
🔴 Alleged organization: Cautious District/Makk Ballers
🔴 Gang affiliation: United Bloods Nation
🔴 Primary charges: RICO conspiracy, racketeering murder, attempted murder and firearms offenses
🔴 Operating area alleged: Eastern Virginia, Maryland and Delaware
🔴 Fatal shooting: Feb. 13, 2024, in Accomack County
🔴 Second major shooting: Feb. 11, 2024; victim partially paralyzed
🔴 Potential penalties: Life imprisonment for four defendants; up to 20 years for the others
🔴 Investigators: Accomack County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations
🔴 Federal case: United States v. Smith et al., No. 2:25-cr-00140
🔴 Case status: Charges pending; no determination of guilt