Numerous suspects captured during anti-gang dragnet in New Orleans

~~June 16, 2013~~
    ~~By: Jim Kouri~~
(Jim Kouri, is a regular guest on KGAB's Morning Zone every other Tuesday at 7:07AM MDT. He is a law enforcement columnist (see his latest below at kgab.com) CPP, the fifth Vice President and Public Information Officer of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, has served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. )

A New Orleans, La., grand jury handed down a 30-count indictment against 20 suspects who are alleged members of a street gang that terrorized the city for close to eight years, according to a June 14 report from law enforcement officials.

In the aftermath of a far-reaching and ongoing police dragnet by a "Big Easy" Multi-Agency Gang (MAG) Unit, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office obtained the racketeering indictment against 20 members of the 3-N-G gang who are alleged to have committed or helped to commit at least 10 murders from October 2008 to February 2013.

The special MAG unit is comprised of federal agents, New Orleans police officers and Louisiana State police personnel, according to Friday's FBI report.

The gang is suspected of conspiring to distribute illegal narcotics and used physical brutality to garner and maintain control over the neighborhood in the Sixth District of the city.

The 3-N-G has operated in the New Orleans neighborhood from May 2005 until now, according to the NOPD.

In reaction to the indictment, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro stated, “As you can see, we intend to continue to focus on those groups who are responsible for a disproportionate level of violence on the streets of this community, and we will use every weapon in our arsenal to bring them to justice.”

The names and aliases of the suspects are:
Alfred Clay, aka “Al”; Christopher Collins, aka “Lil Chris”; Damien Barnes, aka “A.D.”; Darrius Knox, aka “Slick”; Demetrich Robinson, aka “Meechy”; Jared Johnson, aka “Lil J”; Kentrell Hickerson, aka “Black”; Kevin Lynch, aka “Weefus”; Lonnie Ingram, aka “Rilla”; McCoy Walker, aka “Rat”; Quincy Briggs, aka “Pizzle”; Rene Knockum, aka “Butcher”; Ronnell Owney, aka “Nelly”; Tadaro Keller, aka “T-Darryl”; Terrioues Owney, aka “T-Red”; Tyrone Knockum, aka “T-Bone”; Washington McCaskill, aka “Dumplin”; Dwight Bush, aka “White”; Chris McCann aka “Boogie”; and Rico Jackson, aka “Freaky.”

Each of the defendants was indicted with a single count of racketeering, while they were also charged with various other crimes ranging from narcotics distribution to murder.

NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas said, “The lawful people who live in this Sixth District neighborhood were essentially being held hostage in their own homes by this group of offenders who dominated public streets with violence and intimidation. This was an effective, continued team effort that’s allowing residents to take their neighborhood back...and we guarantee there will be more to come.”

“This indictment, on the heels of the 110ers indictment, builds on the strong momentum of the tireless efforts of the MAG and its companion task forces to neutralize gang violence in New Orleans, which will yield even more gang indictments in the coming months,” said FBI Special Agent Michael Anderson.