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Press Release

Members of Young Melph Mafia (YMM) Neighborhood Gang Plead Guilty to Drug and Firearms Violations

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RUBEN GEIGER, a/k/a “Rue,” age 21, and DARIUS WILLIAMS, a/k/a “D-Man,” age 23, both of New Orleans, pled guilty yesterday to federal drug and gun charges.

According to the factual basis, GEIGER and WILLIAMS, along with other members of the Young Melph Mafia gang, pled guilty to participating in a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute street level quantities of crack cocaine in Central City and participating in several acts of violence against rival gangs.  Specifically, GEIGER and WILLIAMS pled guilty to conspiring to possess and possessing with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack).  They also pled guilty to conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes from 2008 to August 21, 2014.

For the drug conspiracy, GEIGER and WILLIAMS face a maximum of 40 years of incarceration, followed by a minimum of 4 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.  For the gun conspiracy, GEIGER and WILLIAMS face a maximum of 20 years of incarceration, followed by up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000.  There is also a mandatory $100.00 special assessment for each count associated with this guilty plea.  U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt set sentencing for April 15, 2015.  Four other YMM members – JACOBI BOYD, ALFRED COBBINS, DEONTRE HILLS and SHAWN GRACIN, previously entered guilty pleas and face the same potential sentences described above.  Five other defendants – JAWAN FORTIA, JEFFERY WILSON, DEDRICK KEELEN, DELWIN MCLAREN and BRIAN SCOTT – are scheduled for trial on April 20, 2015.

“This is another example of how serious the federal government is in helping turn the tide of violence that is occurring in New Orleans,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite.  “These local gangs have caused serious harm to the neighborhoods of this City, and the Department of Justice will continue to work with local authorities to bring these individuals to justice.”

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), along with members of the NOPD led Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MAG UNIT) in investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. are in charge of the prosecution.

Updated September 2, 2015

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