Authorities Arrest Eight on San Antonio’s East Side on Federal Drug Distribution Charges

This morning, federal, state and local authorities arrested without incident eight members of the Crips East Terrace Gangstas who call themselves the “Skinny Bloc Crew,” including 40–year-old ringleader Alvin Clark (aka “Ray Ray”), on federal drug charges stemming from a “crack” cocaine distribution investigation announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. 

On Wednesday, a federal grand jury in San Antonio returned an indictment charging Clark and the following with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute “crack” cocaine and one substantive count of possession with intent to distribute “crack” cocaine: 

Earl Whitley, Jr. (aka “Earl Jr”, “E”), age 36;

Dai’Vonte E’Shaun Titus Ross (aka “Tay”), age 21;

Jovon Deante Stewart (aka “Lil JoJo”), age 24;

Paul Low (aka “P-Low”), age 49;

**Joseph Hammond (aka “JoJo”), age 37;

James Bilal Ali (aka “Showtime”), age 34;

Spurgeon Williams (aka “Bubba”), age 47; and,

Joseph Lake (aka “J.L.”), age 29.

** Already in state custody prior to today.

The indictment also charges Ross with one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute more than 28 grams of “crack” cocaine since January 2016.  The indictment further alleges that on September 19, 2017, Ross was in possession of a black pistol while distributing “crack” cocaine.

Upon conviction, Clark, Whitley, Ali, Hammond, Lake, Stewart, Low, and Williams face an enhanced penalty of between 10 years and Life in federal prison due to their criminal histories.  Ross faces between five and 40 years in federal prison for each drug charge and a mandatory consecutive five years in federal prison on the firearm charge, upon conviction.

This investigation, conducted by local, state and federal authorities, focuses on drug trafficking and violent crime occurring on the city’s East side.  Most all of the narcotics trafficking occurred in the 200 and 300 blocks of Ferris Avenue on the city’s East side. 

The defendants remain in federal custody pending detention hearings next week.  Detention hearings for Clark, Whitley, Low and Ali are scheduled for 10:00am on November 22, 2017, before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth S. Chestney.  Detention hearings for Ross, Stewart, Williams and Lake are scheduled for 10:00am on November 30, 2017, before Judge Chestney.  An initial appearance has yet to be scheduled for Hammond.

“Drug trafficking, and the related violence, has a debilitating effect on individuals, families, and communities.   It is a scourge on neighborhoods throughout the nation and causes citizens to live in fear.  The FBI is committed to working with the San Antonio Police Department, along with our federal, state and local partners on the Violent Crime Task Force to ensure children and families can enjoy their community,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs.

“Today's arrests are the result of the ongoing collaboration with SAPD and our local, state and federal partners. We will continue to work strategically using intelligence led policing and teamwork to ensure that violent offenders are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” stated San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.

The FBI and San Antonio Police Department, together with Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, New Braunfels Police Department, Comal County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.