Crips gang affiliates indicted on drug trafficking
Sixteen people were indicted by a federal grand jury in July for conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute, according to the Western District of Tennessee’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The operation, “Grapes of Wrath,” focused on a Memphis street gang known as the Grape Street Crips after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating shootings in the city during the summer of 2018, according to authorities.
Suspects were developed through law enforcement in connection with distributing heroine and methamphetamine. The suspects indicted were:
❚ Travon Allen aka “Little Y,” 30, Los Angeles, California
❚ Ozene Benson, 27, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Vincent Boykin aka “Veto,” Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Antwan Brown, 31, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Christopher Brown, 29, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Lonnell Davis, 41, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Clifton Graves, 35, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Preston Hampton aka “Grape da Shooter,” 26, Memphis, Tennessee 31,
❚ Amber Howe, 31, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Claude Cordell Irby, 23, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Eddie Johnson aka “Eddie Grape,” 36, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Lapheal Johnson aka “Peaches,” 25, Jackson, Tennessee
❚ Tionna Jones, 24, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Terrell Kennedy, 34, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Antonio Lurry, 37, Memphis, Tennessee
❚ Tarzell Worles aka “Snugg,” 26, Memphis, Tennessee
Some conspiracy charges carry penalties of 10 years to life in prison.
Other charges which include fentanyl, MDMA and heroin show defendants could face up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine.
“As long as organized crime and drug distribution conspiracies by street gangs continue to threaten and harm our communities with addiction and violence, this office will continue to aggressively prosecute them for any and all violations of federal law,” U.S. Attorney Michael D. Dunavant said in a media release.
“Gang members and drug dealers beware: your continued lawlessness will land your name on a federal indictment, and will secure your future in a federal prison.”