A former police officer who allegedly served as a "hitman" for the Gangster Disciples was among five people convicted "for horrific violent crimes" by a federal jury.
According to a Department of Justice news release, three "high-level" leaders, including the man who oversaw the entire state of Georgia, were among those convicted.
A STRUCTURE OF VIOLENCE
The Gangster Disciples are a national gang with roots in Chicago dating back to the 1970s, according to U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak, the charges and other information presented in court.
The gang is highly structured, with a hierarchy of leadership posts known as “Positions of Authority” or “POAs.” The gang strictly enforces rules for its members, the most important of which is “Silence and Secrecy” – a prohibition on cooperating with law enforcement. Violations of the rule are punishable by death.
The defendants and their fellow gang members used the gang’s structure to carry out a pattern of violent and serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, bank and wire fraud, drug trafficking and extortion, according to the news release.
The jury heard testimony about 12 victims allegedly murdered by Gangster Disciples, and another 12 who were shot but not killed.
AMONG THE CRIMES:
- A man was shot outside of a Macon convenience store and left to die in front of his 4-year-old child.
- A shooting in a Macon nightclub that left three people dead and another three injured.
- A man who said he was shot more than a dozen times because he refused to take part in a gang-sponsored community clean-up.
FORMER COP VANCITO GUMBS CONVICTED
Former DeKalb County police officer Vancito Gumbs was convicted of racketeering conspiracy involving murder.
Evidence showed that Gumbs relayed law enforcement information to the gang and provided guns, according the news release.
In a federal indictment handed down in 2016, Gumbs allegedly admitted that he had killed people while acting as a hitman for the gang.
In the fall of 2015, Gumbs is accused of traveling with alleged gang member Kevin Clayton to "take care of GD business."
Around Oct. 1, 2015, Gumbs allegedly gave information about a police investigation of a shooting to Clayton.
Gumbs resigned in 2015 while being investigated for possible drug use.
THE CONVICTED:
* Alonzo Walton, 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy involving murder, carjacking and brandishing a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence. Authorities said Walton was the "Governor" -- the highest-ranking Gangster Disciple in Georgia.
* Kevin Clayton, 47, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy involving murder. Authorities alleged that Clayton was the "Chief Enforcer" for the state, "responsible for violently maintaining discipline among members."
* Donald Glass, 31, of Decatur, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy involving murder, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and causing death through the use of a firearm.
Police said Glass, aka "Smurf" led "the Hate Committee," an enforcement arm of the Gangster Disciples, and took part in a "reign of terror" during a violent 2015 summer.
* Vancito Gumbs, 27, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was convicted racketeering conspiracy involving murder.
* Antarious Caldwell, 25, of Ellenwood, Georgia was convicted of racketeering conspiracy involving murder. Prosecutors said Caldwell was a member of the Hate Committee.
In 2016, dozens of alleged members of the Gangster Disciples street gang were indicted on RICO/conspiracy charges relating to alleged criminal activity by the gang. Previously, 18 defendants pleaded guilty, and there are 15 defendants presently awaiting trial in the case, according to the Department of Justice.
“The defendants in this case were each responsible for horrific violent crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Pak. “It should give the community comfort to know that justice has been done and that each defendant faces a long prison sentence in a federal facility. Gangs like this cannot hide behind a veil of performing community service while at the same time encouraging crimes such as murder and robbery. We, along with our local law enforcement and district attorney partners, will continue to vigorously prosecute gangs and seek punishment for their leaders.”
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