A recently unsealed indictment revealed that nine members of a violent street gang are facing several charges and are linked to a 2022 murder in Alexandria.
According to the US Attorney’s Office (USAO), the gang is affiliated with the Eastside Rollin’ 20s Crips (RTC), a subset of the Crips national gang. The 12-count indictment charged the members with narcotics conspiracy, armed robbery, murder, identity theft, firearms crimes, and other charges.
According to the attorney’s office, the allegations originate from occurrences that occurred around the United States, including in Florida, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and Virginia.
The indictment stated that the gang members and associates perpetrated several violent crimes, including a murder in Alexandria in June 2022.
Officials added that in July 2021, the group attempted to shoot numerous individuals in Washington, D.C.
The trio was also suspected of attempting two murders in North Carolina and pistol-whipping someone in Hollywood, Florida.
According to the USAO, the RTC delivered many kilograms of crushed fentanyl pills in exchange for money. The group also recruited young individuals and urged them to commit gang-related crimes.
“Any of these elements alone – from violence to illegal drugs to identity theft – is enough to destroy communities and lives, and these organizations employ them without compunction. Through coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are determined to eradicate criminal gangs and protect our citizens from the detriment they bring,” said Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
If convicted, the nine defendants could face life in prison or the death sentence for murder in aid of racketeering, up to 25 years for the straw purchase of firearms, and many years for the other counts.
