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Press Release

Former Leader of Nine-Trey Gangster Bloods Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Role in Violent Robberies

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Brien Keith Hughes, 32, formerly of Alexandria, was sentenced today to 360 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for convictions related to his role in two violent robberies where firearms were used.

Hughes pleaded guilty on March 4, 2015. According to court documents and statements made in court, Hughes, who previously served as a leader of the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods clique of the United Blood Nation transnational street gang, was involved in two violent robberies on May 13, 2013. In both instances, Hughes, along with other co-conspirators, targeted a low-level marijuana dealer and engaged in what is referred to as a “drug rip,” where after setting up a drug transaction, the purchaser robs the drug dealer of their narcotics and any other valuables.  In this case, Hughes and other Bloods members executed an armed robbery of the victim and stole his narcotics, identification, vehicle, and keys.

After waiting for a period of time, Hughes and his co-conspirators, using the information found on the victim’s stolen identification, traveled to the home where the victim was residing.  In addition to the victim, two other individuals, innocent bystanders who merely rented a room to the victim, were also present when the defendant and his fellow gang members made entry into the home. 

The defendant and his co-conspirators, armed with handguns and zip-ties, forced entry into the home and quickly assaulted the three sleeping occupants and restrained the victims using zip-ties. Once the victims were tied up and partially blindfolded, some gang members ransacked the house looking for drugs, valuables, and weapons, while the other gang members, including the defendant, interrogated the three victims regarding the location of additional marijuana.  This interrogation was particularly heinous as it involved physical and sexual assault.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Andrew G. McCabe, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department’s Gang Unit and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Department and City of Fredericksburg Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Terwilliger and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Ahn prosecuted the case. A special thanks to our prosecutorial partners at the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for their assistance. 

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-70.

Updated August 7, 2015