Orlando Sentinel

FBI partners with OCSO and OPD to tackle gang feud linked to 5 killings

- By Monivette Cordeiro

FBI investigat­ors are partnering with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orlando police to tackle a local gang feud that authoritie­s say has resulted in the recent killings of at least five people and a slew of recent shootings.

Sheriff John Mina said at a Friday press conference that his office has not identified any suspects yet in a pair of Pine Hills drive-by shootings last month that killed 3-year-old Daquane Felix Jr. and 14-year-old Denis “Joshua” Atkinson.

Authoritie­s have said the children were innocent victims of the rivalry between the 438 gang. and All Family No Friends, also known as the Army gang. The reward for informatio­n leading to an arrest in either case is $20,000.

“Two innocent children [were] gunned down in acts of targeted gang violence in less than 24 hours,” Mina said. “… We know there are members out there in our community who can help us solve these cases, and we are pleading once again for them to come forward and take those murderers off the street.”

FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ron Hopper said the effort is part of the federal “Safe Streets Task Force” initiative, in which the FBI collaborat­es with state and local agencies to “eradicate violent criminal street gangs from our community.”

“These two gangs — the 438 gang and the Army gang — have got our attention now,” Hopper said. “Members of these two gangs can start looking forward towards serving lengthy, meaningful federal prison sentences in their future. It would be through these arrests that we intend to significan­tly disrupt and ultimately dismantle both criminal organizati­ons.”

OCSO’s targeted gang operation has made 75 arrests and collected 50 guns from gang members, including 18 stolen weapons, Mina said.

The Orlando Police Department has made over 100 gang-related arrests and seized 95 firearms, OPD Deputy Chief José Vélez said.

Mina also said his agency’s focus on the feud allowed it to quickly identify one of the people arrested in the recent Mall at Millenia shooting that targeted Orlando rapper Jacquavius Smith. Smith, who goes by the stage name 9lokkNine, has been linked by authoritie­s to All Family No Friends, though he has denied being a gang leader. OPD has said those arrested in the attempted ambush of Smith were “documented” 438 members.

Mina also said tips led detectives to arresting two 19-year-old suspects — Chauncey Cleckley Jr. and Malachi Lamarr Thomas — in the August killing of 14-year-old Daquarviou­s Fudge. A third suspect, 18-year-old Lorenzo Hall, turned himself Friday afternoon. OCSO said Daquarviou­s’ killing is “gang related” but the agency can’t say for certain if it’s connected to the feud between 438 and All Family No Friends.

Hopper said the FBI has identified specific people whose names he would not disclose who could potentiall­y face charges related to rackeeteri­ng and firearms violations.

“We are involved because of the level of violence that we’re seeing in our community,” he said. “… I’m not concerned that they are overtaking the state of Florida. I’m just concerned with the brazen acts of violence that they will do in broad daylight, knowing that deputy Sheriffs and police officers around the corner. It’s unsatisfac­tory, and it needs to be dealt with.”

The FBI has more than 170 similar task forces across the nation, including in Miami, Jacksonvil­le and Tampa, Hopper said.

“I’m not worried about us turning into a Chicago, but that’s also why we’re here doing what we’re doing and working closely with our partners,” he said.

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