Associate of Minneapolis Highs Gang Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

MINNEAPOLIS – An associate of the Highs, a Minneapolis street gang, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.  

According to court documents, on November 15, 2022, Deon Necole Williams, aka Ghost, 28, was in possession of a Smith & Wesson model M9 9mm semiautomatic pistol. Because Williams has prior felony convictions, including aggravated robbery and firearms violations, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing firearms or ammunition.

Williams pleaded guilty on June 5, 2023, to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. Williams was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, St. Cloud Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley and Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case.