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Press Release

United Blood Nation Gang Associate Sentenced To 13 Years For Racketeering Conspiracy And Murder In Aid Of Racketeering

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina

CHARLOTE, N.C. – Briana Shakeyah Johnson, 22, of Concord, N.C., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr. to 156 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release on charges of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity (RICO) and murder in aid of racketeering, for her involvement in the murders of Douglas and Deborah London, announced U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray of the Western District of North Carolina.

John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department join U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement. 

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, Johnson, a/k/a “Breezy B” a/k/a “Breezy V,” was an associate of the Charlotte-area Valentine Blood set of the United Blood Nation gang (UBN or Bloods).  Court documents show that Johnson met UBN gang member Malcolm Jarrell Hartley in April 2014 and became his girlfriend. 

According to court documents, on May 25, 2014, three UBN members, Jamell Lamon Cureton, Nana Yaw Adoma and David Lee Fudge, robbed The Mattress Warehouse, a store owned by Douglas and Deborah London. The three were later charged in connection with that robbery.  According to court records, Cureton and other Bloods gang members discussed that Douglas London was the only eye witness that could identify Cureton, and that he needed to be eliminated. As an associate of the Bloods, Johnson was present at gang meetings during which the Londons’ murder was planned. 

The gang’s leadership authorized Hartley to proceed with the murder, and on October 23, 2014, Johnson drove Hartley to the Londons’ home in Lake Wylie, S.C.  Johnson waited in the car while Hartley shot both victims, and then drove Hartley back to Charlotte, first stopping at Rahkeem McDonald’s house to dispose of the gun.  Johnson and Hartley then returned to Hartley’s apartment where they met with other gang members.  According to filed documents, while at the apartment, Hartley described the victims’ murders and the group celebrated.  After the murders, Hartley was “ranked up” or “promoted” to a 2-Star General for carrying out the leadership’s orders. 

To date, eight other Bloods gang members have been sentenced as a result of this investigation. Jamell Lamon Cureton, and Malcolm Jarrel Hartley were sentenced to life in prison for the double-murder of Douglas and Deborah London.  Cureton received a second life sentence for the 2013 murder of Kwamne Clyburn. Rahkeem Lee McDonald was also sentenced to life in prison for his role in the Londons’ murder.  David Lee Fudge was ordered to serve 26 years in prison. Ibn Rashaan Kornegay was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Nehemijel Maurice Houston was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Daquan Lamar Everrett was sentenced to 13 years in prison, and Centrilla Shardon Leach was ordered to serve 13 years in prison.

Three more defendants previously convicted at trial currently await sentencing:  Randall Hankins, II, Nana Yaw Adoma, and Akheem Tahja McDonald were convicted of racketeering conspiracy charges in October 2017.  Hankins was also convicted of two counts of murder in aid of racketeering and two counts of use or carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence for his role in the murder of the Londons.  Adoma and Akheem McDonald were each convicted of one count of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of use or carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death for Clyburn’s murder.  Adoma was also convicted of one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of use or carry of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and possession of firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, for his role in the armed robbery of the Londons’ business. 

The investigation was led by the FBI, with the invaluable assistance of CMPD and the York County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast is prosecuting the case.

Updated March 29, 2018

Topic
Violent Crime