Killers get multiple life terms

2 S.F. gang members sentenced for murder and racketeering, acting U.S. attorney says

Two alleged San Francisco gang members have been sentenced to multiple life terms for murder, as well as pimping and racketeering charges.

Charles Heard, known as “Cheese,” 33, and Jaquain Young, known as “Loc,” 44, were sentenced Friday. They were convicted in March after a 14-week trial. Both are members of the Central Divis Playas, a Western Addition neighborhood gang, acting U.S. Attorney Alex Tse said in a statement.

Heard received four life sentences after being convicted of murdering Andre Helton and Isiah Turner in August 2008. They were found shot to death in a parked car near the University of San

“The multiple life sentences handed down today is the just punishment under the law for the proven heinous crimes of violence.” Alex Tse, acting U.S. attorney

Francisco. Heard was also convicted of racketeering conspiracy.

Young was convicted of murdering Andre Helton’s brother, Jelvon Helton, at the Gravity bar in the Marina district of San Francisco in November 2010. Young was also convicted of racketeering conspiracy and pimping charges. He allegedly attempted to persuade a minor to engage in prostitution. Young received three life sentences, as well as 10 years on a firearm charge and 20 years for a attempting to persuade someone to travel for prostitution.

“The multiple life sentences handed down today is the just punishment under the law for

the proven heinous crimes of violence,” Tse said. “This office will zealously advocate for the strongest sentences in these gang-related crimes to vindicate the rights of victims and protect our community against crimes of violence.”

Three other alleged gang members were convicted on racketeering charges and are to be sentenced June 29. The trial follows a larger indictment in 2014 that came from an investigation of the Central Divis Playas, a powerful gang in San Francisco.

“The indictment described CDP as a racketeering organization that worked collectively with other gangs in the Western Addition of San Francisco to preserve and protect power, territory, reputation, and profits of the enterprise through the use of intimidation, violence, assaults and murder,” Tse said.

The sentences came from U.S. District Judge William Orrick. Heard and Young are in custody and will begin serving sentences immediately.