“We need to take steps to make sure that gang members are identified as early as possible, the best place to do that is in the schools,” says Rusty McGuire, the Louisa County Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Nine people now face federal charges in relation to being involved in a violent gang connected to the kidnapping and murder of Captain Kevin Quick. Authorities say the new charges highlight a growing problem in Virginia: gangs doing business where you’d least expect them.
Investigators say most of the suspects are part of a violent street gang, the “99 Goon Syndikate” which is a branch of the “Bloods.” The indictment is 39 pages long. All nine suspects plead not guilty in federal court on Friday.
They are also accused of terrorizing several counties.
“That pattern of racketeering activity alleges the criminals participated in a series of commercial robberies of convenience stores in Charlottesville, Louisa and Goochland and Fluvanna counties,” says U.S. Attorney Timothy Heaphy. Most of the robberies were armed and the gang is also accused of selling illegal drugs across Virginia.
Now, Daniel Mathis,18, his sisters Shantai, 24, and Mersadies Shelton, 20 and Travis Bell also known as Kweli Uhuru, 23, face the most serious charges which could bring the death penalty.
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