Federal Superseding Indictment Charges Four South Minneapolis Gang Members In Violent Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker today announced a federal superseding indictment charging four members of the south Minneapolis-based 10z/20z gangs with crimes related to violent gang activity, including drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.^[1] The four defendants named in the superseding indictment are LE’KEITH ALI DU’JUAN RAYFORD, 26, KENNETH LAMONT THOMPSON, 32, MAURICE JERRY JOHNSON, 27, and LENARDO ALEXZANDER WOODARD, 30. The superseding indictment remains sealed as to one additional individual who is charged but not yet in custody.

According to the superseding indictment, from at least April 2, 2017, through the present, the defendants maintained active membership in the 10z/20z south Minneapolis street gangs, with the purpose of making money for the gang through criminal acts, including distribution of crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. As part of their drug distribution schemes, the defendants and other members of the gangs possessed, carried and used firearms in order to protect their drug distribution network from rival gangs, and to protect drug distributors from being robbed of narcotics or money.

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, all four defendants were involved in a conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes and a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The overt acts alleged in the indictment include, among others, multiple crack cocaine and heroin sales, as well as repeated possession of illegal firearms. RAYFORD and WOODARD have prior felony offenses that make them ineligible to possess firearms.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the St. Paul Police Department. The Minnesota Department of Corrections also provided assistance in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state and local law enforcement to combat gun and gang crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez is prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

LE’KEITH ALI DU’JUAN RAYFORD, a/k/a “Fatty,” 26

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, 1 count
• Distribution of cocaine base, 2 counts
• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count
• Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, 1 count

KENNETH LAMONT THOMPSON, a/k/a “Kenny OG,” a/k/a “KG,” 32

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, 1 count
• Distribution of cocaine base, 3 counts

MAURICE JERRY JOHNSON, a/k/a “Reese,” a/k/a “Loco,” 27

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, 1 count
• Distribution of cocaine base, 4 counts
• Use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

LENARDO ALEXZANDER WOODARD, a/k/a “Naughty,” 30

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, 1 count
• Distribution of cocaine base, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 2 counts
• Felon in possession of a firearm, 2 counts

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600