GANGSTER

Gangster Social Enterise Reporting

Gangster was started ten years ago as a methods of tracking and reporting the social growth of gangs worldwide.It is based on factual reporting from journalists worldwide.Cultural Research gleaned from Gangster is used to better understand the problems surrounding the unprecedented growth during this period and societies response threw the courts and social inititives to Gangs and Gang culture. Gangster is owner and run by qualified sociologists and takes no sides within the debate of the rights and wrongs of GANG CULTURE but is purely an observer.Gangster has over a million viewers worldwide.Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite.
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Sunday 29 July 2012

NYPD detective suspended after kidnapping victim found in his garage

Posted On 15:47 0 comments

17-year veteran of the New York Police Department has been suspended without pay after a kidnapping victim was found tied up in his garage. The New York Post reports Ondre Johnson, a detective with the Brooklyn north gang unit, was being questioned in connection with the incident and was forced to surrender his gun and badge. A source tells the Post the 25-year-old victim was snatched off the street on July 26. The victim's friends then got calls demanding $75,000 for the victim's release. The call was traced to Johnson's home, MyFoxNY.com reports. When authorities arrived Friday afternoon, Johnson answered the door and identified himself as a detective with the NYPD. Investigators then found the victim tied up in the garage. Four men have been charged in the apparent kidnapping scheme, MyFoxNY.com reports. 30-year-old Hakeem Clark, who lives in the same building as Johnson, was charged with kidnapping and weapons possession along with 27-year-old Jason Hutson and 27-year-old James Gayle. 24-year-old Alfredo Haughton was charged with kidnapping.


Milllionaire mobster Jamie Stevenson started his criminal career in the McGovern clan.

Posted On 14:18 0 comments

Jamie Stevenson

The best friend and best man of Tony McGovern joined the north Glasgow mob, who became one 

of the most feared drugs gangs of the 90s.

But a bitter fall-out led to a botched McGovern attempt on Stevenson’s life.

The betrayal infuriated him and soon afterwards 35-year-old McGovern was shot dead outside the New Morven pub in Glasgow’s Springburn in one of Scotland’s most notorious gangland assassinations.

Stevenson was arrested but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.

The 2000 murder became a catalyst for Stevenson to launch Scotland’s biggest drug-smuggling gang.

He enlisted crooked lorry drivers and ran his own haulage firms to bring drugs and guns from mainland Europe.

One of the drivers turned supergrass as the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency targeted Stevenson during the four-year Operation Folklore, which ultimately led to him being jailed.


Jamie “Iceman” Stevenson is back on the streets

Posted On 14:16 0 comments

Jamie “Iceman” Stevenson is back on the streets – less than halfway through his prison sentence for laundering £1million of drugs cash. Scotland’s most powerful mobster has been enjoying meals at expensive restaurants and socialising with pals after being allowed home for a week each month. Stevenson – who was also accused of shooting dead his best friend in an underworld hit – was put behind bars in September 2006 when he was arrested after a four-year surveillance operation by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. He was later sentenced to 12 years and nine months for money laundering. But, we can reveal, he is now allowed out of Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee – just five years and 10 months later. A source said: “He seems determined to show his face all around town to deliver the message that he’s back and, as far as he’s concerned, nothing has changed. “A lot of people are surprised that he’s being allowed out so early. Some are not too pleased about it for a number of reasons.” Stevenson, 47, has been spotted at Bothwell Bar & Brasserie, which is run by his friend Stewart Gilmore. He and his cronies have also dined at upmarket Italian restaurant Il Pavone in Glasgow’s Princes Square shopping centre. And Stevenson has joined friends at various other restaurants and hotels, including Glasgow’s Hilton Garden Inn. A Sunday Mail investigation can today reveal that the Parole Board for Scotland could recommend Stevenson’s total freedom as early as February next year. However, the final decision on his release will rest with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. Yesterday, Labour justice spokesman Lewis Macdonald said: “I’m surprised to hear this and that anyone in these circumstances should get out of jail before the halfway point of their sentence – far less so when the conviction is of someone involved in organised crime. “The only circumstances where that would be conceivable would be if someone completely changed their lifestyle. But even then that should not be before they’ve served half their sentence. “I’m sure the victims of these crimes – and with drugs there are direct and indirect victims – will also be surprised at this.” To prepare Stevenson for his release, prison bosses have allowed him to stay a full week each month at his modest flat in Burnside, near Glasgow. On Friday, we watched him leaving the property with his wife Caroline and driving off in a silver Audi. A prison service insider said: “The Parole Board expect the prison authorities to have allowed home visits to test suitability for release ahead of the first eligible parole date. In Stevenson’s case, that’s next February. “There are conditions attached which vary but usually include the obvious ones like not mixing with other criminals and staying only at the designated address. “For prisoners sentenced to more than 10 years, the Parole Board make their recommendations to the Justice Secretary, who then decides whether to release on licence. “Stevenson is trying to keep his nose clean to convince the Parole Board that he poses no threat to society. “But, given his high profile and significance, it’s inevitable that the authorities will be careful before making any final decision.” Stevenson headed a global smuggling gang with a multi-million-pound turnover when he was brought down by the SCDEA’s Operation Folklore, which seized £61million of drugs. He faced drug and money laundering charges along with eight other suspects, including his 53-year-old wife. But his lawyers struck a deal with the Crown Office to admit money laundering in exchange for his wife’s freedom and the drugs charges being dropped. Stevenson’s stepson Gerry Carbin Jr, 32, was also jailed – for five years and six months – but was freed in 2010. Stevenson was previously arrested for the murder of Tony McGovern, 35, who was gunned down in Glasgow’s Springburn in 2000. But prosecutors dropped the case through lack of evidence. A gangland source said: “He does not fear any kind of reprisal from Tony’s brothers, nor does he regard any other criminals in Scotland as a threat or even as rivals. He did not fear any other operation in Scotland before he was jailed. Why would he now?” Two years ago, the Sunday Mail exposed a backdoor deal when the Crown handed back Stevenson’s £300,000 watch collection, which had been seized under proceeds of crime of legislation. Last June, he was sent back to high-security Shotts jail in Lanarkshire from an open prison after a major SCDEA drugs probe, Operation Chilon. Detectives believed that the gang they investigated was controlled by Stevenson. Haulage firm boss Charles McAughey’s home was one of 11 targeted in raids. In 2009, we revealed that French police had found 684kg of pure cocaine worth £31million in a lorry owned by McAughey. Chilon resulted in the SCDEA seizing 242kg of cannabis worth £1.21million and the jailing of three men for a combined 15 years.


Four Dead in Gang Related Shooting

Posted On 13:54 0 comments

Police in Alice are investigating a shooting that occurred near Reynolds Street. According to investigators, it all started on South Nayer Street where police say Isaac Vela was standing on the side of the road waiting for a ride. A vehicle -- with four people inside passed by. One of the passengers, police say, shot Vela in the face. The vehicle fled the scene, but the driver only made it a few blocks before he lost control of the vehicle. It smashed into a nearby school. Three of the four people inside the car died. The other is in the hospital...where investigators will interview him tomorrow. Police say all of the men involved are known gang members.


Saturday 28 July 2012

Tulisa's Friend, 21, Shot Dead In Gangland Hit

Posted On 08:52 0 comments

Reece James, 21, a close friend of Tulisa Contostavlos has been shot dead in a reported gangland attack. The 21-year-old, who appeared with Tulisa in a video for rapper Nines, was shot in the head in a "pre-planned and targeted" hit, 100 miles from his home in London, reports the UK's Sun newspaper. Police found James' body in Boscombe, Bournemouth, at around 2.30am near where Somali drug gangs are said operate. A 22-year-old man was arrested. Reece was said to have been in the area with some friends for "a couple of months", though had filmed the video earlier this month with Tulisa and rapper Nines on the Church End Estate in Harlesden, North West London. The former N Dubz star caused controversy at the time, making a "C" symbol to the camera - the same sign that is used by Harlesden's notorious Church Road Soldiers gang. Tulisa claimed it was a reference to Camden, where she was born. Twitter tributes began flooding in last night, with one user writing, "RIP Reece James. Thoughts are with him and his family and friends". Local MP Tobias Ellwood described the killing as "a spill over from the drugs turf war in the capital", adding, "This was one London gang chasing down another, carrying out a professional hit and then going back".


Wednesday 18 July 2012

Out of dozens suspected to have connections with the Bloods street gang, only three went for a chance at bond on Monday.

Posted On 17:31 0 comments

 The rest waived their hearings.

The locals are suspected of crimes ranging from kidnapping to tax crimes to murder.

Most of them quickly walked in and out of the federal courthouse. Family, friends, and even a pastor to one of the suspects were also on hand to try and learn more about the case.

One suspect was described as a church member, another as a caretaker to his sick grandmother -- all sat inside together in a courthouse where cameras weren't allowed.

FBI agents say they are either members of the famous Bloods street gang or close associates.

"To begin with, it's not against the law to belong to a gang," law enforcement veteran and gang researcher Robert Baker said. "They have to commit a crime in order to be arrested."

Baker says being in a gang isn't necessarily wrong, it's the crimes that can be encouraged. In this case, officers say the crimes from Columbia area Bloods range from kidnapping to tax crimes to murder.

"Some gangs put fear of God into members and will actually commit murder in order to instill fear into gang members in hopes there people aren't gonna say anything about the gang," Baker said.

Baker says every gang is different. In court, only three suspects chose to have a detention hearing and request bond.

An FBI agent testified against them and gave details on how Bloods -- who were featured on a History Channel special 2 years ago -- operate in Columbia. The agent also said there's a hierarchy naming three suspects as top ranking in the Columbia area.

"Ranks depend on what the local set wants to call hierarchy. Could be president, secretary, treasurer or so on. It could be captain, private, soldier what have you," Baker said.

For the rest of the group known for sticking together, they will be back in court.


Tuesday 17 July 2012

An alleged member of the New York Chinatown gang was pulled off a flight to Hong Kong

Posted On 23:21 0 comments

An alleged member of the New York Chinatown gang was pulled off a flight to Hong Kong, minutes before takeoff, as he tried to flee to China because he is suspected of executing two women and burning down their apartment. 

US authorities boarded the Delta Airlines flight at John F Kennedy International Airport on Monday afternoon and hauled away the unidentified man in handcuffs. 

Police believe he is responsible for shooting Xiao L. Li, 70, and Yong Hua Chen, 36, in the head at close range on June 29 then setting fire to their apartment in Chinatown. 

Brothel fire

Horrific: The alleged gangster suspected of shooting the women, age 70 and 36, in the head at close range then torching this Chinatown apartment

The New York Post reports that the man decided to flee after he saw police impounding his car to search for evidence into the horrific murders. 

Authorities believe he planned to slip into Beijing from Hong Kong to get even farther away from the reach of American law enforcement. 

 

 'He was already in his seat. The doors were closing and the jet was preparing to take off. As soon as this guy saw us, he knew he was had,' a source told the Post. 

Witnesses said the man's hands and fingers were covered with tattoos signifying him as a 'hardcore gang member.'

Delta Airlines

Just in time: The flight to Hong Kong was minutes to taking off from John F Kennedy International Airport when authorities boarded it

The two murdered women were believed to be in the sex trade and neither of them lived in the burned apartment on Henry Street, which was a known brothel, the Gothamist reports.

After the fire a man wearing gloves was spotted running from the building.

Police say they don't have enough evidence yet to charge the gangster with the murders. However, they were able to arrest him on unrelated charges.




Friday 13 July 2012

Abu Salem will remain in India

Posted On 07:05 0 comments

Underworld don Abu Salem will remain in India as the top Portugal Court has observed that it was not obliged to extradite the gangster back to the European country after it was held there was violation of deportation rules by Indian authorities. Official sources in New Delhi on Wednesday explained the position on the extradition status of Salem against the backdrop of the top court rejecting India's plea challenging a Supreme Court verdict upholding a lower court order cancelling his extradition to this country. According to the sources, the Constitutional Court's Judges have made it clear that the judgement of lower court which acknowledged violation of extradition treaty does not, by itself, oblige India to render Salem back to Portugal. The lower court had cancelled the extradition over violation of deportation rules by India. CBI officials and MEA officials who have been in constant touch with their lawyers in Portugal feel there is no legal consequences for the violation of principle of speciality and the political and diplomatic instances would have to be launched by India to "find the best solution". "A possible negotiation with the Portuguese government concerning the next steps of the case is not bound by any strict guidelines, neither defined by (Portugal) law," a legal opinion received from Portugal said. It was felt that ministry of external affairs should submit a fresh guarantee reiterating the earlier commitment regarding non-execution of the death penalty or life imprisonment not exceeding 25 years. The legal opinion of Portugal also suggested that for any fresh charges slapped on the gangster, he will be pardoned, the sources said. Portuguese Constitutional Court had rejected India's plea challenging its Supreme Court order of upholding a lower court's order which had said that the extradition treaty in respect had been violated by India. However, the grounds on which the Constitutional court had declined were that the requesting state is a mere participant and not a party to these proceedings. India must not be granted the right to appeal from the decision of the Lisbon court of appeals and that such interpretation of the applicable provisions of the law are not unconstitutional, the Constitutional court said. Salem, who is accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case which left 250 dead, was extradited on November 11, 2005 from Portugal where he was arrested in 2002, along with his girl friend Monica Bedi. The Portugal Supreme Court had upheld a lower court order saying that India had violated extradition rules for Salem case by slapping new charges against him which attracted death penalty. India had moved to the Constitutional Court against the Supreme Court order besides annexing the order of February 17, 2011 of Supreme Court of India whereby stay on trial for all fresh cases, which invoked a death penalty or jail for 25 years, was ordered. Delhi and Mumbai Police, however, had slapped charges which invoke death penalty against him leaving the government and the CBI red-faced. Later, police wanted to withdraw the charges but the courts did not approve of it that led to a protracted legal battle which ended in Supreme Court in September 2010 that rejected the underworld don's plea. more from this section PC clarifies, BJP doesn't buy his 'ugly joke' Pranab's responsible for economic mess: Sangma 'Monsoon has covered entire country but still 23% deficient' more» share share on facebookshare on linkedinshare on googleshare on emailmore... 3 Comments          email     print comment Note: By posting your comments here you agree to the terms and conditions of www.hindustantimes.com AdChoices Advertisement stories photos videos most viewed Bol Bachchan is Rohit Shetty's biggest opener ever Telugu movie review: Eega exceptionally innovative Nicole Kidman lying low to avoid Tom-Katie questions Rohit Shetty open to Bol Bachchan sequel B-Town women face abuse, discrimination more » Follow International News tweets with us now! 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Gangster 'Leggy Pownall’ jailed for plot to rob St Helens drug dealer

Posted On 07:04 0 comments

A CRIMINAL gangster known as ‘Leggy Pownall’ has been jailed for seven years for conspiring to rob a St Helens drug dealer. Described in court by Judge David Aubrey as “ruthless”, John Pownall, aged 51 of Third Street, Bamfurlong, Wigan pleaded guilty to the plot against Michael Baker in January, 2011. Pownall’s conviction follows an 18-month long investigation by officers from Titan (North West Regional Organised Crime Unit), into a group of criminals who played a part in the conspiracy. Last August five other men were convicted for their role. A gang had entered Baker’s house on Watery Lane in Sutton and restrained him by using cable ties. Armed with a stash of drugs, they were arrested by police, who had been waiting for them. Following the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Jason Hudson, head of Operations for Titan said: “This sentence has seen an organised criminal, who is also known as ‘Leggy Pownall’, taken off the streets of the North West. “Our commitment at Titan to bring him to justice has been determined and prolonged. "His conviction, and those of his associates, of a robbery where they were prepared to rob others criminals of drugs for financial gain sends a powerful message that no-one is untouchable and Titan will continue to work hard to take organised criminals off our streets to make our communities safer for all." Pownall was also convicted of mortgage fraud and under the Proceeds of Crime Act will have his criminally acquired assets stripped. He also had links with a corrupt St Helens based police officer, Detective Constable Paul Fletcher, who was jailed for seven years for leaking confidential information to criminals and supplying anabolic steroids. Ads by Google Basic Bank Account Uk Open An Account With No Credit Checks Or Hidden Fees. Apply Now ThinkBanking.co.uk In sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Aubrey said Pownall had “instigated a well planned, organised robbery which was evidenced by his involvement with a corrupt Merseyside Police Officer (Paul Fletcher)". The judge added: “Pownall was the organiser and instigator of the robbery not the executor. He had an appalling criminal record." Pownall had previously been featured in a Sunday People story called ‘Bad Fellas’ as one of the North West's top organised criminals. In relation to his conviction for mortgage fraud, Pownall will be sentenced on Friday, July 13. Michael Baker, 34, and Clint Tinsley, 33, were convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis and illegal psychoactive drugs at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, May 18. Each received jail terms of three years at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, June 6. The other men jailed last August for being involved in the conspiracy were: Newton McKenzie, 32, from Medlock Way, in Wigan, who was jailed for six-and-a-half years Craig Barker, 26, from Newlyn Drive, Ashton –in-Makerfield, who was jailed for eight years. John Jones, 32, from Silverwell Street in Bolton was given four-and-a-half years. Lee Fairclough, 23, from Leagate Close in Wigan was given three-and-a-half-years. Otis Smith, of no fixed address was jailed for five years.


Tuesday 10 July 2012

1 man killed, 1 wounded in South L.A. drive-by shooting

Posted On 10:56 0 comments

One man was killed and a second wounded Monday in a drive-by shooting at a gas station in Hyde Park, Los Angeles police said. The shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. at a gas station near Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles, police said. The names of the victims have not been released. Both men were taken to a hospital, where one died and the other was in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the leg, police said. A search was underway for the suspects. A complete description of them was not available.


Monday 9 July 2012

A Cadillac made especially for 1920’s mobster Al Capone is going on sale for £325,000.

Posted On 15:56 0 comments

Designed to protect the notorious Chicago gangster the car is fitted with 3,000lbs of steel armour, bulletproof windows and painted to look like a police car.

The armour was fitted so rivals would not be able to shoot him as they drove by and the colour scheme of the 1928 Cadillac V-8 "Al Capone" Town Sedan - green with black fenders – mimics the Cadillacs driven by Chicago police and city officials at the time.

Untouchable: A Cadillac which was kitted out with steel armour and bulletproof windows to protect its owner - legendary Chicago gangster Al Capone - is going on sale

Untouchable: A Cadillac which was kitted out with steel armour and bulletproof windows to protect its owner - legendary Chicago gangster Al Capone - is going on sale

It even had a flashing light, siren and the first police-band radio receiver in private hands.

To further protect its precious load the bulletproof glass windows could be wound further than normal to reveal circular holes through which machine guns could be fired.And in case this was not enough to deter any drivers taking up the chase, the rear window of the ride was rigged to drop at an instant so Capone’s henchmen could open fire at any following cars.

The car, which is thought to have been briefly used by President Franklin Roosevelt after Capone was imprisoned for tax evasion, is expected to fetch a six figure sum at auction.

Decked out: Al Capone would have been safe in this one, the 1928 Cadillac V-8 Town Sedan has 3,000lbs of steel armour fitted and was used by President Roosevelt after Capone's imprisonment

Decked out: Al Capone would have been safe in this one, the 1928 Cadillac V-8 Town Sedan has 3,000lbs of steel armour fitted and was used by President Roosevelt after Capone's imprisonment

Machine gun friendly: The bullet proof glass had muzzle sized holes for Capone and his fellow gangsters to fit their guns and even a drop down rear window, pictured, to mow down pursuers

Machine gun friendly: The bullet proof glass had muzzle sized holes for Capone and his fellow gangsters to fit their guns and even a drop down rear window, pictured, to mow down pursuers

Considering his crime – the one he was imprisoned for – Capone would probably have been pleased to know that his old car, being 84-years-old, is classed as a classic and is therefore tax exempt.

After Capone’s imprisonment the vehicle went on to be shown around the world, even making a trip to the UK in the 1950’s displayed at the Southend-on-Sea amusement park and at the Blackpool funfair.

It later entered the collection of the US motor enthusiast John O'Quinn who died last year in a car crash and it is now being sold as part of his estate.

The car is going on sale at the end of August and is expected to fetch £325,000

The car is going on sale at the end of August and is expected to fetch £325,000 at the auction

In their research into the origins of the car, auctioneers uncovered 92-year-old Richard Capstran, whose mechanic father fitted the armour. 

He said Capone's mobsters arrived and told him what they wanted doing.

Mr Capstran said: ‘My dad said “we don't do that kind of work here,” and they said “you do now.”’

The car was then backed into the garage so no one could see what was happening to it.

Mr Capstran said Capone turned up to pay the bill himself and even gave the ten-year-old Mr Capstran a ten dollar note - a small fortune to a young boy at the time.

AL CAPONE - THE MOB KING OF CHICAGO

Alphonse 'Al' Capone was born to Italian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York in 1899.

After being kicked out of school aged 14 he became involved in local teenage gangs and  but moved to Chicago in his early twenties to take advantage of the thriving market for illegal alcohol during the first years of Prohibition.

Capone, imprisoned for tax evasion would probably have a laugh at his old ride being tax exempt

Capone, imprisoned for tax evasion, would probably have a laugh at his old ride being tax exempt

There he ran prostitution rings, illegal gambling halls but made most of his money running speakeasy bars where thirsty Chicago dwellers could get their hands on banned alcohol.

He rose to become the leader of 'The Chicago Outfit' gang, which later became known as 'The Capone Family' and ruled the streets of Chicago from the early 1920's until his capture in 1931.

Despite his gangster ways Capone was a highly visible public figure in Chicago and even opened charity soup kitchens and worked for the safety of the city's children

Capone has been credited with ordering one of the most famous mass murders in 20th century America - the Valentine's Day Massacre - where members of his gang gunned down seven of the rival Moran gang whilst dressed in police uniforms.

The law finally caught up with the mob leader in 1931 when he was sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion.

He spent a majority of his sentence in the famous Alcatraz prison where he was famous for manipulating prison guards.

His health deteriorated in prison and he was no longer capable to run 'The Chicago Outfit' upon his release.

Suffering from neurosyphilis his mental health broke down and when examined a few years after his release he was said to have the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.

Al Capone died in 1947 in Palm Island, Florida

A spokesman for RM Auctions which is selling the Cadillac, said: ‘This is widely considered as one of the most historically significant pre-war American cars.

‘It is liveried in green with black fenders to mirror the Cadillacs supplied to the Chicago police and city officials at the time.

‘It is one of the earliest surviving "bulletproof" cars and was fitted new with heavy glass measuring nearly an inch thick and completely lined with 3,000lbs of steel armour plating.

‘‘It has undergone restoration and is a fabulous piece of history.’

The auction takes place in Monterey, California, on August 20.





Sunday 8 July 2012

Alleged gang members arraigned on murder charges in Marine veteran's slaying at Antioch bar

Posted On 20:11 0 comments

Four alleged gang members, including two teens being prosecuted as adults, were arraigned Friday on murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a Marine veteran at an Antioch bar. Lizandro "Tony" Bertolazzi, a 38-year-old married father of four, was having a drink with a friend at Cruisers Saloon on A Street early in the morning of March 31 when he was killed by gunfire that rang out during a brawl involving the gang members and some other people, police said. The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office this week charged seven people on counts that include murder and conspiracy to felony assault for the benefit of a criminal street gang, deputy District Attorney Andrea Tavenier said. The defendants are Antioch residents Juan Peter Herrera, 22; Giovanni Lopez, 26; Nick Rodriguez, 20; and Alex Gibson, 17; and Pittsburg residents Raymond Wehr, 22; Jamari Ross, 17; and Rudy Cuellar, 22. Wehr is the brother of Armando Curtis Garcia-Wehr, who is serving a 40 years-to-life murder sentence for the September 2007 killing of a 32-year-old Bay Point resident, Walter McDuffie, outside the same bar, when it was known as Club Q. Cuellar and Rodriguez are wanted on warrants. Herrera, Wehr, Gibson and Ross made their first court appearance on Friday and were ordered to return to enter pleas after they have been assigned defense attorneys, Tavenier said. Police said the gang members were kicked out of the Advertisement bar and returned later armed with baseball bats to attack the bar regulars who expelled them. Bertolazzi got up to see what was happening just before he was struck by a stray bullet. Authorities have not released which defendant is suspected of firing the fatal shot. Bertolazzi, of Antioch, was a Marine-trained mechanic who retired at rank of sergeant and was caring for his sons while his wife was stationed in Virgina with the Army. He worked the night shift performing systems maintenance at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Berkeley before meeting a friend at the bar. He didn't know there had been a conflict there earlier in the night.


Gang members found guilty of murdering innocent bystander in Rexdale

Posted On 20:01 0 comments

 A jury found two Jamestown Crips gang members guilty Thursday of first-degree murder in the execution-style slaying of an innocent bystander in Rexdale. After three days of deliberations, the jury decided that Christopher Sheriffe, 22, was the getaway car driver and Awet Asfaha, 27, was the triggerman in the August 2009 fatal shooting of Michael Kim Bishen Golaub on Mount Olive Dr. The 34-year-old Toronto father of five and furniture-maker was visiting a friend’s backyard barbecue when Asfaha gunned him down. It was just the latest episode in a spate of shootings between warring Jamestown Crips and Mount Olive Crips. As Crown attorney Laura Bird described Golaub, he was “simply in the wrong place at the wrong time” and gangs brazenly shoot up the rival’s turf to send a message of intimidation and retribution. Justice Eugene Ewaschuk delayed passing the mandatory life sentence for both men until July 13, so that Golaub’s relatives can deliver victim impact statements. Both murderers must serve 25 years in prison before they can apply for parole. Golaub’s widow, Tedica, wept tears of joy at the verdict, saying, “A great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. These men don’t know how much this murder has messed up our lives. My children’s loving father is gone and he cannot be replaced.” Sheriffe appeared stricken, clutching his sides, as the jury announced its verdict. Asfaha, like Sheriffe, denied that he’s a member of the Jamestown or Doomstown Crips. Sheriffe is alleged to be a leader of the “Hustle Squad,” a hit team within the Jamestown or Doomstown gang. Both men maintained their innocence, with Sheriffe asserting that he was simply an innocent driver whom Asfaha exploited without revealing his murderous plot to him, said Sheriffe’s lawyer Chris Hicks. Asfaha’s version was that he was a passenger in Sheriffe’s car, who got into the back-seat while a mysterious gunman jumped into the front passenger seat after killing Golaub. Asfaha’s lawyer Liam O’Connor said Sheriffe’s witness friends were part of a conspiracy - created by Sheriffe - to point the blame at Asfaha as a killer acting on his own. O’Connor argued his client was merely a passenger in the vehicle after spending a night in a hotel with Sheriffe and two women they had picked up. Bird urged the jury to reject both accused’s accounts, calling them “preposterous and incredible.” She and co-counsel Stephanie Henderson alleged that Sheriffe and Asfaha jointly participated in the callous, calculated shooting.


Two suspected gangsters were killed in two separate incidents in the city yesterday.

Posted On 19:47 0 comments

A gangster was lynched by a mob in Olekasasi Trading Centre,  Rongai after a gang raided Kiandisi ACK Church, waking up the Pastor in charge  who raised alarm. Neighbors responded to the alarm and nabbed one of of the criminals whom they lynched to death.

An amplifier and a piano keyboard were recovered from the lynched suspect whose accomplices managed to escape. In another incident, a suspected robber was shot dead by police minutes after they had robbed a man in a restaurant within the city's Majengo area. Three gangsters stormed into Standard hotel in Majengo and attacked a man who was taking tea and robbed him of Sh3,000 and a mobile phone. Their victim raised alarm attracting the attention of police officers on patrol. One of them was shot dead while his two accomplices were arrested. Nairobi police boss Anthony Kibuchi said that the money, three mobile phones and a toy pistol were recovered from the suspects.


Wednesday 4 July 2012

Ex-Winter Hill Gang slapped with $25G bail

Posted On 07:48 0 comments

The one-time leader of the notorious Winter Hill Gang and an associate were ordered held today on $25,000 cash bail each after their arraignments on attempted extortion and conspiracy charges. Howie Winter, 83, and James Melvin, 70, appeared in Somerville District Court today to answer charges related to the January 2012 incident, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office said. “This type of illegal activity is at the root of many crimes that corrupt the integrity of our communities and undermine public safety by placing citizens in tremendous fear and perpetuating an underworld of crime,” Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone said. According to authorities, Winter — Whitey Bulger’s predecessor atop the Winter Hill gang — and Melvin told the two alleged victims they had the mob-backed “North End” behind them and threatened them in phone calls, written letters and face-to-face that they would “have some problems” if they didn’t pay up thousands of dollars. “You used someone else’s name and they were so (expletive) aggravated that they wanted to come over and bang you the (expletive) out,” Winter allegedly told the victims in a recorded conversation, according to a police report. “You don’t know who I am? ... There’s no one in the (expletive) country that don’t know who I am.” The victims — identified only as V-1 and V-2 in court documents — told police they had loaned a man $100,000 and after he stopped paying in January, the phone calls and meeting with Winter began. Over the next four months, they were told not to go authorities and that not paying is “not allowed.” This morning, Winter’s and Melvin’s defense lawyers claimed that the two alleged victims are themselves extortionists and that Winter and Melvin were trying to stop an extortion by intervening. Their lawyers indicated they will post bail. They were also ordered to wear GPS bracelets and to surrender their passports. Winter, the former Winter Hill Gang leader, was brought down on state and federal charges in an epic gangland collapse in the 1970s that preceded James “Whitey” Bulger’s rise to power as a mobster and informant.


Accused shooter of two teenagers was being threatened by street gang, defense lawyer says

Posted On 07:36 0 comments

Syracuse teenager accused of shooting two other youths last week thought the victims were armed and members of a street gang that had been threatening him, his defense lawyer said today. Defense lawyer Donald VanStry said Jaquell Greer believed Sherron Jones and Quavon Cosby were reaching for weapons of their own when he shot them about 5 p.m. June 25 in the 400 block of Rich Street. Greer, 17, of Glenwood Avenue, was supposed to be back in Syracuse City Court today for a preliminary hearing on charges of first- and second-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. But VanStry decided to waive Greer's right to that hearing and have the case proceed directly to a grand jury for review. VanStry also said he is waiting for the case to turn into a homicide as one of the victims is reportedly being kept alive on life-support equipment at Upstate University Hospital. Police have said Jones remains in extremely critical condition in the hospital. Court papers filed with Greer's arrest last week indicated Jones suffered a gunshot wound to the right leg that damaged his femoral artery, causing extensive blood loss and the need for artificial life support at the hospital. VanStry said he has been told by authorities that the case against Greer likely will be upgraded to a homicide if Jones is removed from life support and dies. Senior Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle said she has been provided a similar assessment of Jones' medical condition from police. According to VanStry, Greer contends he was trying to get away from Jones and Cosby, both 16, when he thought he saw them reaching for weapons in the waistbands of their pants. That's when Greer pulled out a handgun and fired shots at the two youths, the lawyer said. VanStry said Greer is not a member of any street gang but was hanging around with some youths who are street gang members. Greer reportedly stole a handgun from the home of one of the gang members and that is why the gang members had been threatening him, leading up to the Rich Street shooting incident, the lawyer said. Greer was being chased by gang members Thursday afternoon when he kicked in the door to a home on Robineau Road to get away from them and ended up being caught inside the residence by police, VanStry said. McGunnigle said that's the story Greer reportedly told police when he was caught and then charged in the earlier shooting. Cosby, the second victim of that Rich Street shooting, suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm. But he ended up being charged with stealing 18 handguns, ammunition and a television during a June 23 break-in at a home on Empire Avenue in Syracuse. Cosby also was due back in City Court today for a preliminary hearing in his burglary case, but defense lawyer Laurin Haddad said the prosecution was expected to have a grand jury take action against Cosby before the end of the day to avoid having to hold that hearing.


Gangster Tony Mokbel jailed for at least 22 years

Posted On 01:48 0 comments


Tony Mokbel

GANGSTER Drug lord Tony Mokbel arrives at the Supreme Court in Melbourne for sentencing over trafficking charges. Picture: Trevor Pinder

DRUG lord Tony Mokbel has been jailed for at least 22 years on a string of drug trafficking charges.

Mokbel will serve the time after pleading guilty to trafficking large commercial quantities of methylamphetamine and ecstasy, and inciting an undercover policeman to import ecstasy.

The thinned-down drug tsar - once dubbed "Fat Tony'' - showed no emotion in a Supreme Court dock yesterday as Justice Simon Whelan sentenced him to a maximum 30 years' jail with a 22 year minimum, minus time served.

The sentence related to three separate police operations, codenamed Magnum, Quills and Orbital.

"You conducted yourself as the manager," Justice Whelan said today.

"Ultimately you determined what was to be done (by your drug syndicate)."

Justice Whelan said Mokbel coordinated the criminal enterprise and demanded respect and loyalty from his associates.

"Drug dealing was your business. It was your area of expertise. It was your career."

Justice Whelan said things hasn't turned out as Mokbel had planned.

The judge said he took into account Mokbel's guilty pleas and health issues.

Today's sentence shuts the door on one of the longest-running sagas Victoria's criminal justice system has seen.

At Mokbel’s eventual plea hearing in May this year, prosecutor Peter Kidd, SC, called for a maximum sentence of 26-29 years with a minimum of 20-23.

"This is not the case of a man who had a lapse of judgment or momentarily fell into criminality,'' Mr Kidd said.

"It's quite the opposite.''

Mr Kidd said Mokbel ran his monster drug empire as if it were a legitimate business.

He described Mokbel, now 46, as "the principal'' who "orchestrated its operations''.

Mokbel had continued to run his syndicate, known as "The Company'', while a fugitive in Greece after skipping Australia in 2006 while facing cocaine smuggling charges.

Defence counsel Peter Faris, QC, told the plea hearing in May that while a minimum of 20-23 years had been accepted by the Crown on the back of a guilty plea, Mokbel had suffered a heart attack that shortened his life expectancy.

Justice Whelan noted a doctor's report that suggested Mokbel had a life expectancy of a further 24 years.

Mokbel suffered the mild heart attack in February and had a stent inserted into a blocked artery.

The pre-sentence hearing was told that Mokbel was now a reformed man with excellent prospects of rehabilitation.

"Dealing in drugs was definitely wrong,'' he had told a forensic psychologist while in jail.

"It causes damage to a lot of people, creates headaches and violence in people's lives.

"It puts good people in awful places. Kids in vulnerable positions.''

Today's sentence brings the police informer who dobbed in Mokbel one step closer to Victoria's first $1 million reward.

Codenamed 3030, the drug dealer turned on Mokbel and other members of The Company.

Information provided by 3030 resulted in multiple arrests of members of The Company, including Mokbel in Greece on June 5, 2007.

A decision on the reward is expected to come after Mokbel's 28-day appeal period ends.

Last minute wrangling

In the last of submissions made during the long-running drug case, Mokbel’s defence team this morning confirmed that an affidavit had been filed clarifying Mokbel’s “run-out” time from his Barwon Prison cell.

He gets exactly 6.46 hours per day, on average, the Supreme Court was told.

During discussions about sentencing considerations, Justice Simon Whelan described Mokbel’s large scale trafficking, the fact he absconded overseas and then continued to run his syndicate as a fugitive as “just unbelievable, really”.

“I can’t find any comparable case, can you?” he asked Crown prosecutor Peter Kidd, SC.

During discussion about comparable sentences, Justice Whelan described Mokbel as “the leader” who was at the “apex” of the drug operation.

Justice Whelan also flagged that he was going to fix a minimum term.

There was also brief discussion about state and federal sentencing regimes.

“It’s a minefield, Your Honour,” defence counsel Mark Gumbleton conceded.

How Mokbel finally faced justice

The man who sparked one of the nation's biggest manhunts, when he skipped bail in 2006 and went into hiding in Greece, walked into the Supreme Court this morning to learn his fate.

As one of the country's most prolific illicit drug makers, Mokbel was facing seven different trials over his vast amphetamine manufacturing empire when he struck a plea deal with prosecutors last year.

The deal saw all but three of the drug cases dropped in return for the former millionaire property developer's guilty pleas.

And the prosecution agreed that they'd ask for a minimum term in the 20-23 year range for the crimes, some of which carry maximum life terms and involved millions of dollars worth of drugs.

They had urged Justice Whelan to jail Mokbel, 46, for up to 29 years.

But the striking of the agreement in April last year did little to ease the court process.

Mokbel attempted to renege on the bargain and change his pleas late last year amid the affidavit controversy that swept Victorian law enforcement.

Police had routinely been simply signing affidavits used to get warrants to search properties or wire tap suspects.

They were required to swear an oath or affirmation as well as signing the documents.

Police involved in some of Mokbel's drug investigations were among those who failed to swear the oath. Legislation was rushed through Parliament to legitimize the wrongly sworn affidavits.

But Mokbel's bid to change his pleas had failed anyway, with Justice Whelan saying Mokbel had not shown it would be a miscarriage of justice if he were not allowed to contest offences he had already admitted to committing.

Justice Whelan was told that Mokbel may not live as long since his heart attack, and his lawyers urged the judge to give him a lesser term.

A psychologist also said Mokbel had seen the error of his ways and wanted to make amends, offering an apology to those he had hurt including the women in his life.

Those include former wife Carmel, mother of two of Mokbel's children; mother Lora; and ex-flame Danielle McGuire, who fled with him to Greece.

Their daughter Renate, named after Mokbel's sister-in-law Renee, was born while the couple hid from the law. .

She was jailed after putting up the $1 million bail surety that had to be forfeited when he disappeared. She couldn't pay, since the property she used as the surety wasn't hers.

Mokbel is already serving at least nine years for cocaine smuggling, and was acquitted by a jury of ordering the murder of gangland patriarch Lewis Moran. A charge over another underworld murder, that of Michael Marshall in South Yarra in 2003, was dropped.


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