19 people in Lakeland, Tampa indicted on gang activity, identity fraud and drug trafficking charges: DOJ
TAMPA - Nineteen people from two separate investigations, one in Tampa and one in Lakeland, were indicted on federal charges relating to gang activity, identity fraud and drug trafficking, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe.
Tampa
Timeline:
The investigation began in 2020 with a series of shootings in the Tampa Bay Area between two groups: "Robles Park" and the "Glock Boys."
The first shooting injured eight people outside the Truth Lounge nightclub on July 19.
Kehoe says that the "Glock Boys" retaliated on July 25 in the parking lot of the International Mall.
Two days later "Robles Park" fired back and the "Glock Boys" ultimately responded with a shooting near Hillsborough High School on August 6.
Some of these shootings happened in broad daylight and with innocent bystanders around.
Federal charges for 19 people in Tampa, Lakeland
Nineteen people from Lakeland and Tampa were indicted on federal charges relating to gang activity, identity fraud and drug trafficking, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe.
Investigators were able to match up the 45 caliber casings with other casings at the various shooting scenes, leading them to the "Glock Boys."
For these crimes, the five "Glock Boys" are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and aid of racketeering activity, conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted murder, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Aside from the violent crimes, the "Glock Boys" have also been indicted for a massive identity fraud scheme spanning across the United States.
"They took various identities from people, and they went online in states throughout the United States to claim unemployment claims, to claim various financial applications using these false identities, and they did it over a period of years to the extent that they were able to defraud the public, both state and federal, of almost $2.9 million," Kehoe said.
Federal investigators say these crimes went on for years and were uncovered through the shooting investigations.
"These are very intelligent, driven, well-organized individuals," Kehoe said.
Four of the five suspects in the Tampa investigation are currently serving time in prison for other crimes.
"This gang known as "The Glockies" wreaked havoc on our community," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said.
In total, the group was able to defraud the public, both state and federal, of nearly $2.9M.
What's next:
All the defendants in this case are Tampa residents, and they are facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Defendants
- 29-year-old Greg Kendrick, aka "Cheese" - 94 claims for $517,000.
- 30-year-old Corey Davis, aka "Coe" - 47 false claims for $51,000.
- 30-year-old Arius Johnson, aka "Streetz" - 215 claims for over $1M.
- 27-year-old Damion Council, aka "Dane" - 22 claims for $49,000.
- 26-year-old Antonio Phillips, aka "Lil Glockie" - 254 claims for $1,361,000.
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Kehoe says that this indictment is just the beginning and his team will be going after all of these criminal organizations.
What they're saying:
"I give you my word that law enforcement is dedicated to the goal that there will be additional indictments, and they are not going to give up until these criminal organizations are taken off the board," Kehoe said. "If anybody thinks this is the end, it is not the end, it is just the beginning."
Lakeland
A separate narcotics investigation out of Lakeland is responsible for the other 14 arrests after law enforcement says they seized 400 grams of fentanyl, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine and ecstasy.
Courtesy: United States Attorney's Office.
Kehoe says that the drug operation was run out of multiple stash houses and motels throughout Lakeland and Winter Haven.
He also noted that many of the defendants in the case have violent criminal records and several were armed at the time of their arrest.
Ten of the defendants had previous felony convictions for drug trafficking or violent crimes.
While Lakeland police attempted to arrest one of the individuals, they say he drove off and ended up crashing before the arrest.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the United States Attorney's Office.