Ivy Street Gang Member Sentenced to Life for Participating in Two Murders

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Alfonso Sheppard, 32, of Newport News, Virginia was sentenced today to a life in prison, plus 10 years, for his participation in two drug robberies that resulted in the murder of John Henry Green on January 18, 2007 and the murder of Demareo Dontae Hardy on March 20, 2009.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; John Boles, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Division; James D. Fox, Chief of Newport News Police; Charles Jordan, Chief of Hampton Police; and other state and local representatives made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Sheppard pled guilty to the charges on January 3, 2012.

Sheppard was indicted on March 8, 2011 along with seven other alleged members of Ivy Street Gangstas (ISG) operating in the area around the intersection of 9th Street and Ivy Avenue in Newport News, Virginia and the area of Brittany and Sweetbriar Apartments in Hampton, Virginia. Members and associates of ISG included members of the Bloods and Crips, which are national gangs. According to the indictment, members of ISG were accused of coordinating with one another to commit robberies, narcotics distribution, and acts of fraud in an effort to obtain money and property to benefit the gang.

Sheppard admitted his involvement in the homicide of John Henry Green. Sheppard and two co-defendant’s asked Green for marijuana and picked him up outside a Speedy Mart in the city of Newport News. Sheppard was driving the van. Upon entering the van, the victim was pistol whipped with a handgun by co-defendant Bobby Mangrum. Andra Green, armed with a shotgun, and Mangrum then attempted to rob the victim. After failing to find money or drugs, an argument ensued and the victim was ordered out of the van. As he was exiting the van, Andra Green aimed the shotgun at the back of the victim’s head and shot him. John Henry Green fell to the shoulder of the road and died of his injuries.

Sheppard also admitted his involvement in the homicide of Demareo Dontae Hardy in the area of the Brookridge Apartment complex. Andra Green was driving co-defendant Zakarie Williams’ Chevrolet Suburban through the apartment complex when he noticed the victim walking on the sidewalk. Sheppard told Green to stop the vehicle and got out. Sheppard approached the victim. Two co-conspirators pushed him to the ground where the victim was stomped and kicked. Sheppard shot the victim multiple times and got back in the vehicle, leaving the victim without any clothes on to die on the street.

Andra G. Green, 25, of Hampton, Virginia, pleaded guilty in October 2011 to the murder of John Henry Green and to participating in the murder of Demareo Dontae Hardy. Green received two life sentences in January 2012.

The following co-defendants also pled guilty and have been sentenced for their involvement in the crimes charged in the indictment:

• Zakarie X. Williams, 37, of Hampton, Virginia, pleaded guilty in March 2011 to robbery and discharge and use of a firearm and was sentenced in July to a total of 360 months in prison.
• Kyheim D. Tucker, 23, of Newport News, Virginia, pleaded guilty in March 2011 to robbery and discharge and use of a firearm and was sentenced in July to a total of 216 months in prison.
• Bobby Kahill Mangrum, 21, of Newport News, Virginia pleaded guilty in July 2011 to robbery and discharge, use, and possession of a firearm in July and was sentenced in September to 360 months in prison.
• Raymond E. Brown, 22, of Newport News, Virginia, pleaded guilty in October 2011 to robbery and discharge of a firearm and was sentenced in January 2012 to a total of 320 months in prison.
• Ray M. Fearrington, 23, of Newport News, Virginia, pleaded guilty in November 2011 to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and discharge of a firearm and was sentenced in March 2012 to 156 months.

The remaining defendant, Joseph L. Williams, 34, of Newport News, Virginia, pled guilty to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

This case was investigated by FBI and Newport News Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa R. McKeel, Eric Hurt, and Howard J. Zlotnick are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at www.justice.gov/usao/vae.