U.S. Attorney’s Office indicts 9 members of ‘Block Boyz’ gang on RICO offenses, drug and firearm conspiracies

SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that nine members of the “Block Boyz” gang were indicted on RICO offenses, and drug and firearm conspiracies in Shreveport.

The nine Shreveport residents named in the 18-count indictment are:

DeMarcus D. Morris, 28;

Frank J. Morris, 24;

Jimmie R. Durden Jr., 28;

Lonnie D. Johnson, 23;

Gary J. McCain, 22;

Ravion M. Alford, 22;

Rodrick R. Hicks, 23;

Larshanda C. Davenport, 44; and

Golanda W. Atkins, 40.

According to the indictment, beginning in 2012, the defendants took part in a criminal organization known as the “Block Boyz” and the “Get Money Boyz” or “GMB.” The organization distributed controlled substances, murdered, robbed, possessed firearms illegally and conducted other crimes primarily within the Queensborough and Ingleside neighborhoods of Shreveport. The indictment lists 66 acts that members of the organization committed to further the RICO conspiracy. The acts include threats, sale of drugs and shootings. The organization sold crack cocaine, powder cocaine, roxicodone, marijuana, ecstasy and alprazolam. Eight of the defendants were named as part of a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations or RICO conspiracy in the indictment, which is Count 1 of the indictment.

The indictment alleges that in order to generate income, gang members sold illegal drugs and committed armed robberies. They maintained and circulated a collection of firearms for use in their criminal activity and used cell phones to operate their criminal enterprise. Members of the organization bragged about their illegal activity, such as their possession of firearms, and took pictures of themselves with firearms and money to intimidate others and increase their position in the community.

All defendants have been arrested. In addition to the RICO count, charges include: Count 2 – conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Count 3 – conspiracy to possess firearms; Counts 4 and 6 – violent crime in aid of racketeering; Counts 5 and 7 – using and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; Counts 8, 12 and 15 – possessing a firearm by a convicted felon; Counts 9, 10 and 11 – distributing crack cocaine; Count 13 – conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering; Count 14 – possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and Counts 16, 17 and 18 – distributing powder cocaine.

The defendants face various possible penalties depending on the drug quantity involved, their role in the conspiracy and their criminal history. On the drug conspiracy and distribution counts, some defendants face up to 20 years and one defendant faces up to 40 years in prison. The defendants also face up to life of supervised release. The penalties for illegal use of firearms are up to ten years in prison and up to three years of supervised release for each count. Additionally, the defendants face fines up to $5 million and forfeiture of property seized in the case.

The FBI Northwest Louisiana Violent Crimes Task Force, Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, ATF and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) participated in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison D. Bushnell, James G. Cowles Jr. and Tennille M. Gilreath are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.