Black Out Squad Member of the Gangster Disciples Receives Effective 33-Year Sentence for Racketeering

Memphis, TN – Gerald Eugene Hampton, 34, a/k/a "G-30" has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, the Gangster Disciples is a highly-organized criminal street gang with nationwide reach. In addition to Tennessee, the gang reportedly operates in more than 35 states. The Gangster Disciples were organized into different positions, including board members and governor-of-governors who each controlled geographic regions; governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers and chief of security for each state or regions within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active; and coordinators and leaders within each local group.

Hampton admitted he was a member of the black-out squad/security team. The superseding indictment set out that the black-out squad/security team members were responsible for carrying out acts involving attempted murder, assault, intimidation of witnesses and victims, and physical "disciplines" at the direction of senior Gangster Disciple members.

According to the superseding indictment, the defendants named in the RICO conspiracy committed attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of cocaine, crack and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidation of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise and to promote and enhance the members’ position within the gang.

On June 13, 2019, Hampton pled guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. On November 21, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. sentenced Hampton to 240 months in federal prison, consecutive to state convictions for which he received a 10-year sentence for aggravated robbery and a 3-year sentence for felony evading arrest and possession of marijuana-3rd offense, both out of Madison County, as well as 3 years of federal supervised release, for an overall effective sentence of 33 years in state and federal custody.

United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Dismantlement of criminal gangs is a top priority of the Department of Justice, and this case represents the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to target and remove a significant violent participant in the Gangster Disciples organization. ‘G-30’ will now serve more than 3o years in prison for his violent crimes. The message from this case is clear: No matter what your role is in the conspiracy, or what your position, title, or gang nickname is - if you are a member of a criminal gang, your days are numbered and there will be a reckoning."

This prosecution was brought as part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent organizations.

This case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, Jackson Police Department Gang Enforcement Team, Memphis Police Department, 28th Judicial District West Tennessee Drug Task force, 26th, 25th, and 30th Judicial District Attorney General Offices, Sheriff's Offices for Shelby, Tipton, DeSoto, Madison, and Fayette Counties, and the Police Departments of Bartlett, Germantown and Columbia, TN.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Boswell and Annie Christoff of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Shauna Hale of the DOJ Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

###