Five Members Of “Central Divisadero Players” Gang Convicted Of Various Racketeering Crimes Including Murder

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal jury convicted Adrian Gordon (aka “Tit”), Charles Heard (aka “Cheese”), Esau Ferdinand (aka “Sauce”), Monzell Harding, Jr., and Jaquain Young (aka “Loc”) today of racketeering, murder, and conspiracy charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex Tse and FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.  The verdict follows a 14-week trial in which the jury heard evidence about the San Francisco gang referred to as Central Divisadero Players, aka Central Divis Playas, aka CDP.

“This office is 100% committed to eradicating violent gang activity from our community, for the safety of all who live and visit the Bay Area,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tse.  “The evidence produced at the trial in this case makes crystal clear why we must not flinch from pursuing this goal with all necessary resources.  I want to express my sincere gratitude to the FBI, the police departments of San Francisco and San Pablo, and the San Francisco DA for their partnership, hard work, and commitment to bring these criminals to justice.  I also want to acknowledge the brave victims who came forward during trial despite threats against their safety, and the well-being of their loved ones.  Combatting gang violence is a dangerous endeavor, and as a community we must work together and stand tall to defeat the gangs.”

“Today marks a victory in our tireless and collective effort to rid our neighborhoods of violent gangs whose brazen activities pervade our community and threaten the safety of our citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Bennett.  “These convictions send a clear message that we are committed to dismantling dangerous criminal enterprises and will hold their members accountable for their actions.”

Gordon, 29; Heard, 33; Ferdinand, 35; Young, 44; and Harding, 26, were the first five defendants to stand trial for crimes alleged in an eleven-defendant, 22-count second superseding indictment filed on August 14, 2014.  The indictment described CDP as a racketeering organization that worked collectively with other gangs in the Western Addition of San Francisco to preserve and protect power, territory, reputation, and profits of the enterprise through the use of intimidation, violence, assaults, and murder.  During the trial, the jury heard evidence that the five defendants, all from San Francisco, each played a role in the racketeering conspiracy whose crimes ranged from murder to pimping.  The jury concluded that the five defendants were guilty of the following specific crimes:  
 

Any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

As described in the chart above, the jury concluded that Charles Heard murdered Andre Helton and Isiah Turner, that Jaquain Young murdered Jelvon Helton, and that Adrian Gordon attempted to murder another victim.  The evidence at trial also demonstrated that the gang intimidated victims, potential victims, and community members through violence and threats of violence.    

The defendants all are in custody pending sentencing.  Judge Orrick has not yet scheduled a date for sentencing. 

The prosecution is the result of joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; San Francisco Police Department’s Gang Task Force, Homicide Detail, Robbery Detail, Special Victims Unit, and the Northern, Park, Southern, Central, Taraval, and Bayview Stations; San Francisco District Attorney’s Office; and the San Pablo Police Department.