Crips Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy in Nebraska

A violent member of the Omaha-area Crips Gang pleaded guilty today to participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving acts of violence including attempted murder and assaults, witness tampering and drug distribution, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Robert C. Stuart of the District of Nebraska.

Dionte Dortch, aka “Killa Tay,” 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon of the District of Nebraska to one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, one count of witness tampering, one count of attempted obstruction of justice and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. As part of his guilty plea, Dortch has agreed to be sentenced to 20 years in prison. The sentencing hearing for Dortch is scheduled for Aug. 23, 2017.

According to the plea agreement, Dortch admitted to conspiring to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Omaha-area chapter of the Crips, known as the “40^th Avenue Crips” and “44^th Avenue Crips,” through a pattern of racketeering activity. As part of the plea agreement, Dortch admitted to personally committing acts of violence for the gang in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy. These acts of violence included the hiring of a hitman to kill a potential witness, the shooting and attempted murder of four individuals believed to be associated with a rival gang and using threats of violence to prevent a witness from testifying before a federal grand jury, according to the plea.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Omaha Police Department are investigating the case. Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Molsen of the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case.