Member of Violent D.C. Crew Sentenced to 44 Years in Prison, Convicted of Murder and Conspiracy Charges
Nine Crew Members Convicted in the Case

WASHINGTON—The final defendant in a far-reaching case involving the 22nd Street Crew, Steven R. Gray, was sentenced today by the Honorable Herbert B. Dixon Jr. to 44 years of incarceration for his role in the organization and for murdering Robert Mitchell in 2004. The sentencing, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, was announced by United States Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. Gray, 31, also known as “Whitebread,” was found guilty in May by a jury of conspiracy, second-degree murder while armed, and related firearms offenses.

The conviction and sentence stem from a reign of terror imposed by Gray and eight other members of the crew in a three-block area of 22nd Street SE between April 2003 and July 2006. He and the other members of the 22nd Street Crew, who previously have been convicted and sentenced, were bound together by varied purposes, including drug trafficking, engaging in acts of violence in order to retaliate against rival groups and to protect their “turf,” and engaging in acts of obstruction of justice. Gray was one of the more senior members of the crew. All told, seven defendants were convicted at trials and two others pleaded guilty to charges in the case.

The entire community was victimized by the actions of the members of this crew, who were responsible for the murder of Leslie Jones on April 11, 2003, the murder of Robert Mitchell on Feb. 23, 2004, the murder of Terrence Jones and assault on Richard Queen on April 17, 2004, the murder of James Taylor and assault on Bernard Mackey on May 4, 2006, and the murder of Laquanda Johnson and assault on Keisha Frost on July 11, 2006. The facts introduced at the most recent trial of the crew members proved that Steven Gray shot and killed Robert Mitchell because Mitchell allegedly owed Gray a mere $10. In sentencing Gray, Judge Dixon remarked that the murder of Robert Mitchell was “tragic.”

In announcing the sentence, United States Attorney Machen praised the outstanding efforts of members of the law enforcement community. More than 50 members of the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, and the United States Park Police worked tirelessly in their coordinated efforts to bring about this verdict. In particular, United States Attorney Machen noted the extraordinary dedication and perseverance of Metropolitan Police Department Detectives Susan Blue and Jeffrey Mayberry, U.S. Park Police Detectives William Sepeck and Irving Edwards, and a Special Agent from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, who devoted more than three years to this investigation.

United States Attorney Machen also commended the efforts of all at the U.S. Attorney’s Office who assisted in bringing about this successful conclusion. This was, in all respects, a collaborative effort on the part of many in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He praised the work of Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Bach, Michael Brittin, Amanda Haines, and Nancy Jackson, who investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Bach and John Giovannelli who tried the case.