Source: United States Department of Justice News
DAVENPORT, Iowa – On July 25, 2022, a Davenport man, Darion Daquan Gardner, age 27, pleaded guilty to Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Causing Death Through Use of a Firearm, and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering.
In 2016 and 2017, as a member of Savage Life Boys (SLB), a Davenport-based street gang, Gardner was involved in multiple shootings, including at a dice game in December 2016, and at the Hotel Davenport in February 2017. On December 16, 2016, Gardner and other SLB members robbed and physically assaulted another male, including pistol-whipping him. SLB members also shot at the male’s vehicle as the male and an associate fled the area.
On February 12, 2017, at a concert at the Hotel Davenport, Gardner and several other SLB members started a physical altercation with an individual they believed had disrespected their gang. During the altercation, Gardner fired several shots, striking and killing one male and striking and injuring another.
Gardner committed these acts with the intent to maintain or increase his position in the gang.
Gardner is scheduled to be sentenced on November 29, 2022. As part of the plea agreement, the government and Gardner have agreed to recommend a sentence of 450 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal stated “This plea was the result of a dedicated and long-term investigation that highlights our commitment with local law enforcement to combatting violent crime. The families and friends of the victims in this investigation continue to feel the pain that acts of gun violence can inflict. We will continue to pursue every available law enforcement tool and partnership towards the common goal of community safety.”
Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski said “Investigators from the Davenport Police Department have been diligently working on this case for several years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Iowa and other collaborative partners. Their persistence and dedication to bringing justice and accountability in the 2017 homicide at the Hotel Davenport and several other shootings and violent encounters this subject was involved in is admirable. I am incredibly proud of the dedication to public safety that is demonstrated in this case and every day by officers and investigators at the Davenport Police Department. This case is a great example of the incredible partnership we have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and their commitment to justice for our community and the victims of violent crime.” Peoria, Illinois Police Department assisted in the investigation.