Feds indict 15  members of ‘dangerous’ Peoria gang

By Holly Eitenmiller For Chronicle Media

U.S. Attorney John E. Childress announces in a June 26 press conference the 63-page federal indictment handed down against 15 members of the notorious Peoria gang The Bomb Squad. (Photo courtesy of Peoria Police Department)

Fourteen members of a Peoria street gang are in custody and another remains at large in the wake of a 63-page federal indictment alleging murder, attempted murder, arson, drug trafficking and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The indictment, unsealed June 26, spans from 2013 to 2018, and claims the Bomb Squad members conspired amongst themselves to commit the crimes, and links two defendants to the April 8 shooting at an off-campus Bradley University party. Anthony Polnitz, 22, and and Bradley University student Nasjay Murry, 18, were killed at the party.

“We have identified the folks who pose the greatest danger to the citizens of the Peoria and there is our focus. We have appropriately and thoughtfully sought penalties or at least laws that carry penalties that are appropriate for that behavior in an effort to debilitate those who would choose violence against rival gangs or against innocents,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Childress at a June 26 press conference involving federal, state and local authorities. “Our response to that is that it simply must cease.”

The defendants, the indictment claims, operated as a criminal enterprise which, in some cases, effected interstate commerce, and charges them with racketeering conspiracy and Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act. Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) are clause of the U.S. code also are cited in the indictment, alleging the gang members used a dangerous weapon with a willingness to commit murder.

All 15 suspects are charged with federal racketeering conspiracy under the RICO Act, which carries up to life in prison; 12 of the 15 are also charged with Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering.

The 2013 murders of Eric Brown, 21 and Tyrann Chester, 24, are also cited in the indictment. Brown was purportedly a rival gang member, and Chester, who died of a gunshot wound to the head, was suspected of supplying drugs to Bomb Squad competitors. Brown died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

In April, Jermontay Brock, 16, opened fire on an off-campus party at 1821 W. Bradley Ave., killing Anthony Polnitz, 22, and Bradley University student Nasjay Murry, 18. Alleged Peoria Bomb Squad gang member Kentrevion Watkins, 19, is accused of providing Brock with gun used at the party. Watkins, who is among 15 Bomb Squad member indicted June 26 on charges including racketeering, remains at large.
(Photo by Holly Eitenmiller / for Chronicle Media)

The indictment alleges Eugene Haywood, 24, currently in custody, killed Brown and also was involved in the Chester shooting. Mytrez Flora, 24, and Lloyd Dotson, 27, also in custody, are alleged to have conspired to murder Chester.

Jovan McCree, 26, is alleged to have fired a .308 caliber rifle at a vehicle, believing it was occupied by Arago Street gang rivals. A bullet struck an 11-year-old girl in the leg as she slept on the couch in her home.

The only Bomb Squad member at large, Kentrevion Watkins, 19, is alleged to have provided Jermontay Brock, 16, with the gun used in the Bradley University shootings. Brock was indicted in April on charges of first degree murder and aggravated battery, and faces at least 45 years in prison for each death, if convicted.

A grand jury returned the indictment June 20, but it remained sealed until the June 26 arrests of 14 of the 15 suspects, who are as follows:

  • Eugene “Nunu” Haywood, 24, RICO Racketeering Conspriacy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence
  • Revaughn “Lil Poppi” Rogers, 18, RICO Conspiracy
  • Kenwan Crowe, 19, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence
  • Terry “Lil Man” Moss, 18, RICO Conspiracy,Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm
  • Ezra “Lil Woody” Johnson, 22, RICO conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence, possession with intent to deliver heroin
  • Jovan “Vano” McCree, 36, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence
  • Jahlin “BD” Wilson, 21, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence, felon in possession of a firearm
  • Andre “Monkey Man” Neal-Ford, 20, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence
  • Lance Washington, 22, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence
  • Torieuanno White, 24, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence, felon in possession of a firearm
  • Sherman “Shady” Williams, 23, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence, possession with intent to distribute marijuana
  • Lloyd Dotson, 27, RICO Conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine
  • Keith “Kilo” Gregory, 19, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence
  • Mytrez “Trez” Flora, 24, RICO Conspiracy
  • Kentrevion “Tutu” Watkins, 19, RICO Conspiracy, Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, firearm used in crime of violence

Jahlin Wilson, 21

Kentrevion Watkins, 19, at large

Lance Washington, 22

Torieuanno White, 24

Sherman Williams, 26

Keith Gregory, 19

Eugene Haywood, 24

Jovan McCree, 36

Terry Moss, 23

Raevaughn Rogers, 18

Andre Neal-Ford, 20

Mytrez Flora, 24

Ezra Johnson, 22

Lloyd Dotson, 27

Kenwan Crowe, 19

 

—  Feds indict 15  members of ‘dangerous’ Peoria gang —