Local and Federal Law Enforcement Partnerships Continue to Have an Impact on Violent Crime in the J.C. Napier Neighborhood

Nineteen additional persons have been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with an on-going local and federal investigation addressing violent crime in the J.C. Napier public housing development, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Joining the U.S. Attorney in making the announcement are Steven Gerido, Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville Division of the ATF and Chief Steve Anderson of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department. 

The criminal conduct covered by these latest indictments include four murders, multiple armed robberies, illegal firearms possession, unlawful drug trafficking and witness tampering. Seventeen other individuals have previously been charged with federal offenses in connection with this targeted investigation, which has been on-going since March 2015.

“Rising violent crime in this neighborhood prompted a joint federal and local investigation aimed at increasing public safety and improving the quality of life for these residents,” said U.S. Attorney David Rivera. “Three murders occurred in and around the J.C. Napier development in just four months, along with multiple shootings and robberies connected to that area, which only has about 2,000 residents. We will continue our efforts to bring federal charges, when warranted, against those who remain intent on committing violent crime in this neighborhood and in other residential neighborhoods.” 

Steven Gerido, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, said, “These arrests show law enforcement’s priority to reduce violent crime. The removal of crime weapons from the streets aid in providing a safe environment to the public.”

“It is very important to me that the hundreds of innocent families in the Napier/Sudekum area know that this police department is committed to their safety and bringing to justice those persons who blatantly threaten that community with violence,” Chief Steve Anderson said.  “As Hermitage Precinct detectives and our Gang Unit identified multiple problem individuals, we asked the ATF and U.S. Attorney David Rivera to join us in this investigation. Our partnership and continuing federal prosecution of the defendants has without a doubt made the area a safer place.”

Those charged in the latest phase of the investigation include:

• Reginald Johnson, III, a/k/a Cheefa, 22;
• Aweis Haji-mohamed a/k/a Son Son, 28;
• Marquis Brandon a/k/a Dummy, 22;
• Keno Lane a/k/a Keno Savage, 24;
• Charles Braden a/k/a Manstinka, 22;
• Santez Bradford a/k/a Wacco, 23;
• Martez D. Parham a/k/a Tez, 24;
• Rodrecus M. Smith a/k/a Lil Rod, 27;
• Darryl A. Starks a/k/a Mac, 32;
• Calvin D. Starks a/k/a Crazy, 21;
• Ivy C. Starks, 49;
• Terrance C. Kimbrough a/k/a Lil Chris, 19;
• Tena M. Allen, 29;
• Darren Randolph a/k/a Newk, 27;
• Michael Calloway, Jr. a/k/a Oso, 20;
• Ricky Watkins a/k/a Lil Ricky, 23;
• Brandon Starks a/k/a Hot Boy, 22;
• Michael Burns a/k/a BK Mike, 27; and
• Michael Thompson a/k/a Monkey Man, 35, all of Nashville.

In addition to other offenses, four of these individuals are charged in connection with four homicides, three of which occurred in and near the vicinity of the J.C. Napier neighborhood:

• Rodricus Smith and Martez Parham are charged with the murder of Mario McKnight, which occurred on October 30, 2013, on Argyle St. in Nashville, which the indictment alleges occurred during a drug-related robbery of another person;
• Calvin Starks and Terrance Kimbrough are charged with the murder of Brendon Leggs, which occurred on November 26, 2014, which is also alleged to have occurred during the course of a drug robbery;
• Terrence Kimbrough is also charged with the murder of Monte Watson, which is alleged to have been motivated by a desire to prevent him from cooperating with law enforcement officers about the murder of Brendon Leggs and other criminal activity; 
• Aweis Haji-mohamed is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms, with the underlying event being the murder of Isaiah Starks on February 9, 2015;
• Haji-mohamed is also charged with other armed robberies, including an attempt to commit an armed drug-related robbery of Isaiah Starks about one month before Haji-mohamed killed Starks . 

Seventeen individuals have been previously indicted in connection with this investigation and charged with various federal offenses including firearms violations, drug offenses and offenses relating to the obstruction of the grand jury’s investigation. They are:

• Deshon Burleson, 29;
• Javonta Campbell, 23
• Ernest Eddie, 26;
• Deunta Finch, 26;
• Ramon Hughes, 27;
• Reco Jones, 28;
• Jacarlvis Marable, 23;
• Robert Moore, 35;
• Kenneth Underwood, 35;
• Charles Woods, 27;
• Joshua Woods, 25;
• Brian Blackman, 25;
• Charles Black, 26;
• Justin Walden, 25;
• Laquisha Hughes, 32;
• Laquanda Boyce, 34; and      
• Jeremiah Haynes, 24, all of Nashville.

The indictments are merely accusations.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gang Division of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sunny A.M. Koshy and Phillip Wehby.