Seven Associates of Bloods Gang Charged for Drug Distribution in Wilmington

WILMINGTON – United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced today that seven individuals associated with the United Blood Nation - Nine Trey gang in Wilmington have been charged in Criminal Complaints and in connection with the illegal possession and distribution of heroin. KEJUAN TIZOM SHABAZZ SMITH aka Bobby, 24, DAENZAL XAVIER MURPHY aka Zilla, 24, THEODORE PIERCE, JR., aka Three, 19, ALICIA RASHAWN JOHNSON aka Lili, 18, DARRELL TYKWAN ATKINSON aka Dada, 19, THEODORE ROOSEVELT HARDY, III, aka Trey, 23, and KHALIL DJOUR TRUESDALE, 20, were taken into custody on October 24, 2016.  Detention hearings were held on October 31, 2016, and on November 1, 2016. 

According to the Criminal Complaints filed on October 19, 2016, an investigation was begun in early April, 2016.  In April and May, 2016, controlled purchases of heroin were coordinated and executed. 

If convicted on the charges, all the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Police Department, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wilmington Police Department. 

The charges contained in the criminal complaints are allegations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.