Nine Trey Gangsters

The Nine Trey Gangsters (also referred to as Nine Trey Gangstas)[1][2] are a set of the United Blood Nation street gang, the latter of which is a set of the Bloods street gang.[3][4][5] The gang was established in 1993 at the Rikers Island jail complex in New York City, and operates on the East Coast of the United States.[3] The gang has operated in the U.S. state of Virginia and other states. It has allegedly been engaged in the sex trafficking of women and racketeering in Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Maryland and other areas.[4] The gang was also allegedly involved in the distribution of illegal drugs, including heroin, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, marijuana and prescription painkillers in these areas.[4] Further allegations include dealing in counterfeit U.S. currency and using counterfeit currency to "finance wholesale drug purchases".[4]

The gang has been investigated by the FBI and various gang task forces in Virginia and bordering states.[4] It has also been investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.[3]

Leadership

In June 2011, Robert "Snoop" Christie of Trenton, New Jersey was alleged to be the leader of the gang.[6] In a February 2014 press release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia stated that Thaddaeus Snow, nicknamed "Storm", of Manassas, Virginia was a leader of the gang.[7]

Arrests and prosecution

In July 2006, approximately 60 members of the gang were arrested as an outcome of a significant police operation called "Operation Nine Connect".[5] After these initial arrests, at least another 30 arrests were made.[5]

In June 2011, Robert "Snoop" Christie pleaded guilty to a weapons charge in a plea bargain. This conviction received a five year prison sentence, which was added on to an eight year sentence Christie was already serving for a previous weapon and drug conviction.[6]

In March 2013, eight alleged gang members and associates appeared in federal court facing charges based on a "major crack cocaine investigation".[3] Specific details of the case were sealed under court order at that time because an ongoing investigation was being conducted by the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration, and it was stated that the release of information could have had an "adverse result" upon the investigation.[3]

In February 2014, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced that following a trial that began on February 11, 2014, three members of the gang, including Thaddaeus Snow, were convicted by a federal jury for racketeering, robbery, cocaine distribution, sex trafficking and firearms-related offenses.[7] Upon this conviction, 24 individuals named in the initial September 2013 indictment were also subsequently convicted.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Barratt, Robin (2011). The Mammoth Book of Hard Bastards. Little, Brown Book Group. ISBN 184901759X.
  2. ↑ Harris, Donnie (2004). Gangland. Holy Fire Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 0976111241.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Green, Frank (March 14, 2013). "Alleged gang members in major cocaine bust appear in court". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nine Trey gang members sentenced to prison". Fairfax News. May 16, 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Ratcliffe, Jerry H. (2012). "Intelligence-led Policing". Routledge. p. 11. ISBN 1136308598.
  6. 1 2 "Trenton Nine Trey Gangsters leader involved in gang clash that left three dead pleads guilty to weapons charge". NJ.com. June 21, 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "Nine Trey Gang Leader, Enforcer, and Cocaine Supplier Each Convicted of Multiple Racketeering Offenses". FBI. February 21, 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
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