LMINTEL Investigations Lead to Eight People Pleading Guilty Including Local Gang Members and Associates

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Eight people, including five connected to a violent Louisville street gang have pleaded guilty to federal charges brought as part of investigations by the Louisville Metro Intelligence Task Force (LMINTEL): an LMPD intelligence-led task force which identifies serious, violent offenders and leverages all available resources to investigate, apprehend and prosecute these offenders, announced United States Attorney Russell M. Coleman.

“The United States Attorney’s Office stood with our law enforcement partners and promised to tackle violent crime in our city,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman.  “These pleas to significant federal prison time are just the beginning of making good on our pledge; much more to come.”

Chicoby Summers, 22, Shelby Strong, 33, Jerlen Horton, 23, Derrick Hammond, 33, Lakeshia Watts, 23, have all pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing hearings for their involvement in conspiring to obtain firearms for convicted felons.

According to a forty-count Superseding Indictment unsealed November 28, 2017, at all times relevant to the conspiracy, Hammond, Summers, and Horton were convicted felons, and they had close relationships with each other as well as other members of the Victory Park Crips (VPC), a violent street gang operating primarily in the west end of Louisville. Lakeshia Watts shared a residence with Horton and Shelby Strong was an associate of Hammond.   Members and associates of the Victory Park Crips use firearms to aid narcotics trafficking, preserve and protect power and reputation by intimidation and violence against rival gangs.  The culture of the VPC glorifies guns and violence, and firearms are a status symbol to members.

According to the charges, beginning in February of 2017, Hammond, Summers, Horton and Strong conspired to obtain firearms through the use of “straw purchasers” (associates who had no felony convictions and could lawfully purchase firearms).  It was further part of the conspiracy that firearms purchased by “straw purchasers” were transferred ultimately to convicted felons, aided and abetted by others. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from purchasing or owning firearms, prohibits a buyer from purchasing a weapon on behalf of another person, and prohibits an unlawful user of a controlled substance from possessing a firearm.  

• Chicoby Summers pleaded guilty to all charges against him, including: conspiracy to possess a firearm by a prohibited person; four counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for December 13, Summers faces a sentence of 57 months in federal prison. 

• Shelby Strong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm by a prohibited person; 13 counts of possession of firearm by a drug user; 11 counts of making a false statement material to the purchase of a firearm; engaging in the business of dealing firearms; interstate travel with intent to deal firearms; and four counts of transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for December 13, Strong faces a sentence of 63 months in federal prison.

• Jerlen Horton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm by a prohibited person; three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; conspiracy to obstruct justice; possession of explosives by a felon.  Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, the low end of the federal guideline sentencing range is 70 months in federal prison.

• Derrick Hammond pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm by a prohibited person; four counts of aiding and abetting transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon; conspiracy to obstruct justice.  Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, the low end of the federal guideline sentencing range is 12 months in federal prison.

• Lakeisha Watts pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of a felony, she will be eligible for probation and will thereafter be a convicted felon incapable of legally purchasing or possessing firearms.  Sentencing is scheduled for December 13.
   

In addition, LMINTEL led investigations have resulted in guilty pleas from three others for firearm possession by convicted felons: Treyvon Miles, 22, Chillvon Randolph, 21, and Marcus Knight, 21.

• Treyvon Miles pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for September 6, the low end of the federal guideline sentencing range is 46 months in federal prison.
   
• Chillvon Randolph pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for September 6, and the low end of the federal guideline sentencing range is 24 months in federal prison.
   
• Marcus Knight pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for September 6, and the low end of the federal guideline sentencing range is 24 months in federal prison.
   

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin McKenzie and Nute Bonner.  The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the cases.

The Louisville Metro Intelligence Task Force (LMINTEL) is led by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).  The task force is composed of state and federal agencies which include, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United States Marshals Service, the Kentucky State Police (KSP), the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, the Office of the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney, and the Office of the Jefferson County Attorney.  The goals of the LMINTEL Task Force include identifying, investigating, and prosecuting individuals and gangs who are responsible for fueling violent crime in the Louisville Metro area.