Crime & Safety

Notorious Gang's Members Indicted On RICO Charges

Young and Scantless members kidnapped a person so they could rent a car and to take cocaine to West Virginia, police said.

DETROIT, MI – Two more members of the Young and Scantless street gang, considered by police as one of the most dangerous in the city, have been charged with racketeering, kidnapping and trafficking cocaine, according to federal authorities. Georges Eubanks, 30, and James Bowens, both of Detroit, have been indicted on charges of taking part in the gang's racketeering ventures.

Authorities say that Bowens kidnapped and fired gunshots at a victim to force the victim to rent a vehicle for gang members to use to transport narcotics to West Virginia; and Eubanks and Bowens possessed with intent to distribute approximately 550 grams of cocaine base.

Previously, members of the gang, including Edward Tavorn, 31, also of Detroit, were charged with murder, robberies that turned into murders, shootings, a home invasion, arson, and narcotics distribution.

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The indictment announced Thursday, indicates Eubanks and Bowens conspired to sell drugs in West Virginia for Tavorn while he was in prison.

The Young and Scantless gang has been identified by police as one of the worst in Detroit. The gang is known for its ruthless reputation and violent acts including seeking to intimidate, injure and kill rival drug dealers to eliminate competition, police said. Gang members instill fear in the community in order to discourage residents from cooperating with police and witnesses from reporting gang-related crime. It also posts numerous intimidating photographs and videos to social media, authorities said.

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This case is being investigated by multiple police agencies, including officers from the Detroit Police and the Michigan State Police, and agents from the ATF’s Comprehensive Violence Reduction Partnership Task Force.

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