Feds Target 2 Poughkeepsie Gangs With Murder, Racketeering Charges Against 31 People

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - Thirty-one people who are either members of two Poughkeepsie gangs, or who are associated with them, were indicted on a series of charges on Thursday, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The charges, according to the office, pertain to murder, attempted murder, drug and firearms offenses, and racketeering. The two gangs, known as Uptown and Downtown, are also rivals, according to the office.

The murder charges, the office said, are in connection with the March 9, 2016 death of 18-year-old Caval Haylett, a local basketball star and bystander, as well as the Dec. 23, 2012 death of 16-year-old Downtown member Daquell LeBlanc, whose nickname was Hamo.

Both victims were killed by single gunshot wounds, the office said.

"With today’s charges and arrests, we seek to dismantle these gangs from the top down, and together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, we seek to stem the tide of gun violence and drug dealing in Poughkeepsie," Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said in a statement. "When gangs flourish, neighborhoods suffer, parents grieve, and children die; it is as simple as that. And we will not sit by and let that happen.”

Twelve of the suspects are accused of ties to Uptown, which the office said also goes by the names of "400 Savages," the "Mob Stars," the "Spready Gang" and the "Boogotti Boys." Uptown's alleged leaders are Douglas Owens, who is also called "Born Truth," and Jihad Williams, whose nickname is "Goodie.'

"Uptown is based within the eastern portion of Poughkeepsie, from east of Hamilton Street to the city line and, more specifically, within the Hudson Gardens housing development (commonly referred to as the “Bricks”)," the U.S. Attorney's office alleged in a statement. "Uptown gang members and associates control the narcotics trade within the Bricks, distributing primarily heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Uptown gang members stored shared guns in various locations known to gang members to protect the narcotics business, to protect each other from rival gangs, and to strike against rival gangs."

The other 19 suspects are alleged to have links to Downtown, which the office added has other names, such as the "Hamo Gang," "Bully Hard Hunna," the "C-Eazy Gang," "Most Hated," "420 Boys," and "L-Block." Downtown's alleged leader is Ronald Johnson, whose nickname is "Top Gun."

"Downtown’s base of operations was located in the western portion of Poughkeepsie, from west of Hamilton Street to the Hudson River and, particularly, within the Martin Luther King and Rip Van Winkle housing developments (commonly referred to as the “Ville” and “Rip,” respectively)," the U.S. Attorney's office alleged in a statement. "Downtown gang members and associates controlled the narcotics trade within the Ville, Rip, and the surrounding area, also distributing primarily resale amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Downtown gang members also stored their shared firearms in different locations known to members and associates. This allowed Downtown gang members to arm themselves quickly when confronted by rivals and to protect each other and their narcotics business."

According to the office, the case involving people suspected of ties to Uptown is called United States v. Douglas Owens et al., while the case pertaining to people accused of links to Downtown is called United States v. Ronald Johnson et al.

A full list of the suspects - it includes their names, nicknames, ages and criminal charges - can be found on the office's website, which is here. Copies of the indictments are also on the website.