Month: October 2023

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON – Corenzo Mobery, 40, of Washington, DC,  pleaded guilty today to participating in a drug trafficking network based in Southeast Washington that sold cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, PCP, and marijuana, announced United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Mobery, aka “Snowman,” pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia to five counts of a superseding indictment that included unlawful possession with intent to distribute cocaine; carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

            Mobery was indicted with 16 co-defendants (listed below) who all have pleaded guilty. Nearly all have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 24 months to 114 months based on their criminal conduct and criminal histories. Mobery is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 26, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich.

            The case stems from an investigation by the MPD Violent Crime Suppression Division’s Violence Reduction Unit and the FBI into the “MLK Crew” — a group of individuals who were operating an open-air drug market in and around the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE, Washington D.C.

            The investigation began in response to numerous citizen complaints about rampant drug trafficking and accompanying incidents of violence in the area. In addition to numerous citizen complaints, MPD targeted this area as one of the most notorious in the city in terms of recent shootings and shots fired, as well as for the area’s high numbers of arrests—particularly offenses involving drugs and firearms.

            As part of its investigation, MPD and FBI began conducting surveillance, obtaining search warrants, and making controlled buys of narcotics from suspected members of the conspiracy.

            The investigation revealed that MLK Crew members openly engaged in the sale of various drugs (including PCP, crack, fentanyl, and marijuana) and took over the area and, effectively, some of the neighborhood’s businesses. MLK Crew members would often go into the neighborhood businesses to complete sales and constantly loitered outside of these businesses to engage in sales. As part of its investigation, MPD and FBI obtained video of defendants openly conducting narcotics transactions in these businesses and even displaying firearms. Throughout the case, law enforcement seized at least 10 firearms (many of which were privately manufactured firearms or “ghost guns”) from MLK crew members and/or stash houses and a sizeable quantity of various narcotics.

            The MLK Crew’s drug trafficking contributed to numerous incidents of drug-related violence in and around the 2900 Block of MLK Ave., including multiple assaults, shootings, robberies, and murders—most notably, the murder of a six-year-old girl who was the daughter of one of the co-defendants in this case. 

            In July 2021, a few months after opening the investigation, MPD and FBI arrested 11 initial defendants and seized 10 firearms, along with PCP, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, pills, and over $2,500 in cash. The additional six defendants were charged in September 2021 and were arrested shortly thereafter.  

DEFENDANT	STATUS
Ricky Lyles, Accokeek, MD	Sentenced to 114 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm
Nico Griffin, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 37 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Dandre Shorter, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 37 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Wesley Leake, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 40 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Leon Lindsay, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 57 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Dezmond Cunningham, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 48 months for conspiracy to distributecocaine
Divine Chappell, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 76 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Shawn Wooden, Washington, DC	Pleaded guilty on Sept. 11 to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. To be sentenced on Nov. 28, 2023
Barry Tyson, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 73 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and conspiracy to distribute  cocaine
Delonta Chappell, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 48 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Anthony Graves, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 27 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Deshawn Loggins, Temple Hills, MD	Sentenced to 42 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Kevonte Randall, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 46 months for conspiracy to distribute 2 cocaine and possessing a firearm
Corenzo Mobery, Washington, DC	Pleaded guilty October 16th. To be sentenced on Jan. 24, 2024
Rico Griffin, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 66 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Shahborne Scales, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 66 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine
Luther McDuffie, Washington, DC	Sentenced to 24 months for conspiracy to distribute cocaine

            The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force in partnership with MPD’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). This partnership targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Park Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Henek, Andy Wang, and Matthew W. Kinskey of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

            The investigation had the sponsorship and support of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF specializes in the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON — Two cousins from Mississippi and Alabama were sentenced today on felony and misdemeanor charges for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Thomas Harlen Smith, 45, of Mathiston, Mississippi, was sentenced to 108 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton. A jury convicted Smith of 11 charges, including nine felonies and two misdemeanors, on May 5, 2023.

            Donnie Duane Wren, 44, of Athens, Alabama, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and 24 months of supervised release by Judge Walton. A jury convicted Wren of two felonies and one misdemeanor on May 5, 2023.

            According to evidence presented during the trial and court documents, on Jan. 5, 2021, Smith traveled from his home in Mississippi to Washington, D.C., to attend a rally held by former President Trump the next day and picked up his cousin, defendant Wren, from his home in Alabama along the way. On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Smith and Wren attended the rally and afterward made their way toward the U.S. Capitol building. Before entering Capitol grounds, Smith climbed a column near the African American History Museum with the outdated Mississippi state flag.

            Smith and Wren arrived on the restricted Capitol grounds and observed other rioters climbing scaffolding erected around the stage for the Presidential Inauguration. The two then climbed the structure and made their way to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel. Smith pushed toward the front of a group of rioters and used a flagpole like a spear to try to break a window next to the Lower West Terrace doors. Smith thrust his flagpole at the window five times. He then surged through the doorway, where he and a mass of other rioters pushed into a line of Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) officers attempting to hold the door shut.

            Smith then exited the Tunnel and reunited with his cousin, Wren, who had witnessed the violence directed by other rioters against police officers in the area. The two posed for a photograph together on the Lower West Terrace. Smith and Wren then climbed up a railing to the Upper West Terrace and confronted a line of police officers using riot shields and attempting to clear the area. Smith and Wren pushed back against the police line, placing their hands on the officer’s shields and leaning back into the police. Wren leaned all his weight into the riot shield, preventing the police officer from advancing. Wren’s push against the riot shield was an early assault on the Terrace that instigated the fight between rioters and police attempting to clear the area.

            While this occurred, Smith witnessed an object fly past him and hit an officer. Smith yelled at the officer, “You deserve that, you piece of s—!” At 4:35 p.m., Smith kicked an MPD officer in the back—sending the officer to the ground. Smith then picked up a metal pole-like object and threw it toward the line of police, striking two MPD officers in the head.

Later that day, on Facebook, Smith described the assault on the Capitol: “Patriots stood together and battled the tyrannical cops throughout the entire afternoon.”

            Smith was convicted of 11 charges at trial, including felony offenses of assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon; obstruction of an official proceeding; two counts of civil disorder; two counts of assaulting, impeding, or resisting officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon. He was also convicted of two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct in the Capitol grounds or buildings and an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

            Wren was convicted of civil disorder and assaulting, impeding, or resisting officers, both felonies, and a single misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

            This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Mississippi, the Northern District of Alabama, and the Southern District of Florida.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Birmingham Field Offices and the Homestead, Florida and Oxford, Mississippi Resident Agencies, which listed Wren as #219 on their seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department.

            In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON – A Kansas man pleaded guilty today to two felonies related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            William Chrestman, 49, of Olathe, Kansas, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to obstruction of an official proceeding and threatening a federal officer, both felonies. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly accepted the plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 12, 2024.

            According to court documents, as of January 2021, Chrestman, a second-degree member of the Proud Boys in the organization’s Kansas City chapter. Around that time, Chrestman made plans with other members to travel to Washington, D.C. to, among other things, show their support for then-President Trump and protest Congress’ certification of the Electoral College vote. On Jan. 5, 2021, Chrestman and other Proud Boys members arrived in Arlington, Virginia where they stayed at a rental home that Chrestman described as the “safe house.”

            On Jan. 6, 2021, Chrestman traveled from Arlington to Washington, D.C., with others and met up with a larger group of Proud Boys near the Washington Monument. Chrestman was wearing a tactical vest and protective gloves and carried a gas mask and a wooden axe handle with a flag attached to it.

            After joining the large group of Proud Boys, Chrestman marched with them in the street near the U.S. Capitol while shouting, among other things, “Whose streets? Our streets.” The group ultimately made their way to the west side of the Capitol’s grounds, outside of the restricted, fenced-off perimeter made up of barricades guarded by uniformed United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers.

            At about 1:00 p.m., the crowd breached the line of barriers and surged toward the Capitol building. Chrestman and other Proud Boys he had been marching with moved forward as part of this crowd surge during this initial breach. Chrestman then moved to the front of the crowd, where he encouraged other rioters by waving them forward and shouting, “Go! Go! Go!”

            Chrestman remained on the West Front of the Capitol for more than one hour, failing to leave the area and remaining unlawfully on the restricted grounds. For much of this time, he remained at the front of the crowd. While positioned here, Chrestman stood directly next to a line of USCP officers attempting to hold a perimeter. Behind that police line, from an elevated position, other USCP officers were firing less-lethal “pepper-ball” rounds at specific agitators in the crowd who were physically engaging with police.

            Court documents say that Chrestman pointed his finger at the officers armed with less-lethal munitions, gestured toward them with his axe handle, and shouted in their direction, “Hey, if you shoot, I’ll f— take your a— out.” When the defendant shouted this, he stood several feet away from multiple USCP officers.

            Chrestman eventually entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:25 p.m. Once inside, he and others, including other members of the Proud Boys, moved about the building and made their way to the Crypt. Here, Chrestman and others took steps to ensure that a large metal overhead door nearthe Crypt would remain open, allowing other rioters to move freely about the building. Specifically, Chrestman used his axe handle to prop open the door. After successfully obstructing the barrier, Chrestman and others progressed into the Capitol Visitor Center and eventually left the building via the Senate Wing Door.

            At the Capitol Visitor Center, an altercation broke out between police officers and a rioter that the officers attempted to arrest. Chrestman pulled at the rioter, after which the rioter broke free from the police officers and escaped arrest.

            Chrestman later said of his actions, “We had the cops running through the f— State Building [sic], dude, trying to slam the emergency doors, like, the big garage door-type ones that segregate off the rooms, and we were throwing f— chairs under there to block it dude, to keep going down… The cops were legitimately scared for their f— lives.”

            This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with assistance provided by the Justice Department’s National Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Kansas City Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.