Alleged Members of Franklin Gang Indicted

NORFOLK, VA—Five alleged members of a gang operating in Franklin, Va., have been indicted today accused of drug trafficking and firearm charges.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement.

Dominique Raeshawn Kindred, a/k/a “DK,” 20, of Franklin, Va.; Alexander Howard Olds, a/k/a “Bud,” 22, of Franklin, Va.; Brandon De’Shun Cary, a/k/a “BC,” a/k/a “Lil B,” 26, of Franklin, Va.; Torrance Jamar Bowers, a/k/a “T.J.,” age 23, of Ivor, Va. and Jovar Marquis Smith, a/k/a “Var,” 22, of Franklin, Va. were indicted on conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing cocaine base, commonly known as “crack;” distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, cocaine, and marijuana; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a stolen firearm charges. All defendants face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

According to the indictment, beginning in the summer of 2007, Kindred allegedly led a criminal organization that distributed crack, powder cocaine and marijuana in the Franklin area. The group is accused of being heavily armed and using firearms to further the conspiracy and to exact retribution on rivals. It is alleged that after one shootout that took place in a residential area, Kindred’s vehicle was abandoned in the middle of the road with fresh blood and a firearm inside. Several nearby structures were hit with bullets during the incident. At the time of Kindred’s arrest on July 6, 2011, court records indicate that a stolen .45 caliber handgun and nearly $36,000.00 were allegedly recovered from his home, along with crack cocaine and ecstasy.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Franklin Police Department, and Safe Streets Peninsula Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Laura M. Everhart is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.