Howard County Bloods Gang Member Sentenced To 18 Years In Prison In Racketeering Conspiracy

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Giovanni Wright, a/k/a "G," age 22, of Elkridge, Maryland, today to 18 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to participate in a racketeering conspiracy, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and the unlawful transfer of firearms, in connection with his membership in the Bloods gang operating primarily out of Howard County, Maryland.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge William P. McMullan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Howard County Police Chief Gary L. Gardner; Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts; and Howard County State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino.

Wright was identified as a member of the Bloods as the result of a long term investigation conducted by ATF and the Howard County Police Department. The Bloods, a national criminal street gang with members operating in and around Howard County, Maryland, committed violent acts within the gang to maintain discipline, and against rival gangs.

According to his plea agreement, Wright was a member of the Bloods since at least 2010. Wright supported fellow incarcerated gang members, participated in gang meetings and discussions regarding gang sanctions, and planned retaliation against gang members suspected of cooperation.

For example, on February 22, 2012, Wright and a co-defendant robbed a rival gang member at gunpoint. In January 2013, Wright fired a gun at a victim’s residence as he and another co-defendant drove by in a truck. Two innocent bystanders were outside and their car was damaged in the shooting. Wright also sold firearms with and to fellow gang members who were prohibited from possessing the firearms.

On May 8, 2013, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants and arrested approximately 20 individuals connected with the Bloods gang, including Wright. A search warrant was executed at Wright’s residence and firearms and ammunition were seized.

To date, 19 defendants have pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering and drug conspiracies. Most recently, co-defendant Ryan Gladden, a/k/a "Fats," age 27, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on January 7, 2015, to 92 months in prison. Gladden has been a member of the Bloods gang since 2006 and became a leader of the “Swann” set, a sub-group of the Bloods. Co-defendant Rouchell Chesson, a/k/a “Black,” age 31, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on December 12, 2014 to 10 years in prison. Chesson was a leader in the “Tree Top Piru” or “TTP” set of the Bloods. Christopher Lloyd McGann, a/k/a “Toker,” age 23, of Columbia, Maryland, was sentenced on December 19, 2014, to eight years in prison.

Mr. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Howard County Police Department, Baltimore Police Department and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel M. Yasser and Sandra Wilkinson, who prosecuted the case.