Another T&A Crips member sentenced
A Columbus man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison Thursday for his involvement in gang-related murders and other crimes as part of the Trevitt and Atcheson Crips.
But a second accused gang member, who was poised to plead guilty to comparable charges, instead proclaimed his innocence and asked that his case be considered at trial.
The two hearings before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson in federal court in Columbus are connected to the larger crackdown of the local Crips affilliate gang, which is named after the King-lincoln neighborhood where many members lived.
In total, 18 people have been convicted, with many already sentenced to lengthy terms for five separate murders and more than two dozen attempted murders, plus drug trafficking and other violent crimes, between 2011 and 2018.
On Thursday, Jonathan Dantzler, 29, was sentenced to 360 months, or 30 years, behind bars after pleading guilty to a single racketeering conspiracy count.
Dantzler, also known as “Jesus,” admitted firing guns in July 2012 into a vehicle driven by Franky Tention, 18, a rival gang member who was hit and later died from the gunshot wounds, according to court documents.
He also fired a gun into a home in an attempt to intimidate a woman and prevent her from testifying against another gang member, according to documents.
The sentence announced by Judge Watson was in line with the recommended penalty included in a plea agreement with prosecutors, though Dantzler is already serving multiple life sentences, without parole, on a separate convictions in Franklin County.
Shawn Nelms, 28, also appeared before Judge Watson Thursday after earlier this week signing a plea agreement, admitting to a single felony count of racketeering conspiracy, including involvement in one murder and multiple shootings.
His plea deal recommended a sentence of 32-40 years in prison.
But in federal court on Thursday, Nelms declined to stand when it came time to take the oath. Instead, he proclaimed his innocence and asked for new legal representation.
“I want to proceed to trial,” he said. Watson attempted to convince him otherwise, asking, “Could 18 of your codefendants be wrong, Shawn?” He noted that a conviction at trial potentially carried a steeper sentence.
“If you want to go to trial, we’ll go to trial,” Watson said, moving forward with Nelms’ request. “I don’t think it’s in your best interests.” mkovac@dispatch.com @Ohiocapitalblog