TUCSON, Ariz. — A member of the Western Hills Bloods was sentenced Sept. 16 to nearly 28 years in federal prison after admitting he helped murder a rival gang member and trafficked drugs for the Tucson gang, federal officials announced this week.
David Kapone Williams, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity. U.S. District Judge James A. Soto sentenced him to 335 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Williams and other gang members killed a rival in the parking lot of a La Quinta hotel near Tucson International Airport on May 15, 2015. Members of the gang also took part in a separate killing near Fremont Street in October 2014. The Justice Department did not identify Williams as a participant in that earlier homicide.
Prosecutors said the Western Hills Bloods engaged in drug trafficking, firearms offenses, witness intimidation and violence. Williams admitted trafficking drugs for the gang in Tucson and elsewhere in the United States.
Seven co-defendants had previously been sentenced:
- Marcell Demetrius Gray: 27 years, 11 months.
- Shawmaine Eustace Ardell Moore: 20 years.
- Samuel Lee Berrelle Rakestraw III: 20 years.
- Jermaine Lamar Maxwell: 20 years.
- Michael Anthony Williams: 21 years, 10 months.
- Cliffton Martinez: 6 years, 6 months on a firearms charge.
- Labarr Martinez: 4 years, 2 months on a cocaine distribution charge.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tucson police investigated the case.
Quick facts
- ☑ Defendant: David Kapone Williams, 36, of Tucson.
- ☑ Sentence: 335 months in prison — 27 years and 11 months — plus five years of supervised release.
- ☑ Conviction: Conspiracy to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity.
- ☑ 2015 killing: Williams admitted helping kill a rival gang member near Tucson International Airport.
- ☑ Separate 2014 killing: Prosecutors attributed it to gang members, but did not say Williams participated.