A MEMBER OF THE SEVEN MILE BLOODS STREET GANG WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE, THE OTHER TO 18 YEARS ON RACKETEERING AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES

Two members of the Seven Mile Bloods Street Gang were sentenced for their participation in various criminal acts, including racketeering conspiracy and related firearm offenses, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.                 

Schneider was joined in the announcement by Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Steven M. D'Antuono, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office and Chief James Craig, Detroit Police Department.

“These sentences should send a clear message to other members of gangs operating in the City of Detroit – our community has no tolerance for the senseless murders and violence spread by gang members,” said U.S. Attorney Schneider.   

Corey Bailey, aka “Sonny,” “Cocaine Sonny,” 31, of Detroit, was sentenced to two life sentences and three 10 year sentences, all to run concurrent, after having been convicted of RICO conspiracy; murder in aid of racketeering; attempted murder in aid of racketeering; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;

Arlandis Shy, aka “Grymee,” “Vil,” 30, of Clinton Township was sentenced to 18 years and 4 months after having been convicted of RICO conspiracy.

The 10-week trial was conducted last year before U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh in Detroit, Michigan.  The jury deliberated approximately seven days before reaching their verdicts.  Amongst those convicted were:

•Robert Brown II, aka “R.O.,” 37, of Warren, Michigan, is awaiting sentencing after having been convicted of RICO conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering; and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and

•Keithon Porter, aka “KP,” 33, of Detroit; is awaiting sentencing after having been  convicted of RICO conspiracy; murder in aid of racketeering; attempted murder in aid of racketeering; and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death.

A fifth defendant, Eugene Fisher, aka “Fes,” 39, of Detroit, was sentenced to 90 months after having been convicted of two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

According to evidence presented during the trial, the Seven Mile Bloods gang operates on the east side of Detroit, between Gratiot Avenue and Kelly Road and between Seven and Eight Mile Roads.  Seven Mile Bloods or “SMB” members have claimed this area as their territory and refer to it as the “Red Zone.”  The area is in zip code 48205, which SMB members refer to as “4-8-2-0-Die” in some of their rap lyrics.

Evidence presented at trial showed an ongoing gang war between the Seven Mile Bloods and an alliance of other gangs operating on Detroit’s east side stemming from a murder that occurred in July 2014.  These rival gangs have been violently attacking one another and have posted respective “hit lists” on social media.  This shooting war has led to increased homicides and non-fatal shootings on Detroit’s east side.

This case was the work of the Detroit One Initiative.  Investigators were able to bring together separate probes into various members of this organization and its criminal activities into one encompassing investigation. Partners include the Detroit Police Department Gang Intelligence Unit, the FBI Violent Gang Task Force, which consists of representatives of Detroit Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Michigan Department of Corrections and Michigan State Police, with the cooperation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The investigation further resulted in the seizure of more than 20 firearms, including several high-powered assault rifles.

The case was prosecuted by Julie A. Finocchiaro of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, Justin Wechsler of the Criminal Section of the Antitrust Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Mark Bilkovic and Tare Wigod of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.