Leader of Ivy Street Gang Sentenced to Life for Murders

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Andra G. Green, 24, of Hampton, Va., was sentenced today to a life sentence for the murder of John Henry Green on January 18, 2007, and to a concurrent life sentence for participating in the murder of Demareo Dontae Hardy on March 20, 2009. Both victims were killed during attempted drug robberies.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Dean C. Bryant, 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 the plea was accepted by United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Green pleaded guilty to the murders on October 3, 2011.

According to court documents, Green was indicted on March 11, 2011 along with seven other alleged members of the “Ivy Street Gangstas, (ISG)” which operated in the area around the intersection of 9th Street and Ivy Avenue in Newport News Virginia and the area of Brittany & Sweetbriar Apartments in Hampton, Va. 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.

In a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Green admitted to killing John Henry Green after asking him for marijuana and picking him up outside a Speedy Mart in the City of Newport News. 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.

Green also admitted his involvement in the homicide of Demareo Dontae Hardy in the area of the Brookridge Apartment complex. Green was driving a Suburban and noticed the victim walking on the sidewalk. Alfonso Sheppard approached the victim and pushed him to the ground where two others joined in the assault by stomping and kicking the victim. The victim was shot multiple times and left without any clothes to die on the street. Green was the driver of the getaway vehicle.

The co-defendants each pled guilty to their participation in the murders. Bobby Mangrum was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment, Raymond E. Brown was sentenced earlier this month to 320 months’ imprisonment, and Alfonso Sheppard awaits sentencing on April 4, 2012.

This case was investigated by FBI and Newport News Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa R. McKeel, Eric M. Hurt and Howard J. Zlotnick prosecuted 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.