Federal Jury Convicts Five Highs Gang Members

MINNEAPOLIS – This afternoon, following a three-week jury trial, a federal jury convicted all five defendants on trial in the Highs RICO case of a variety of federal charges, including RICO and murder, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joesph H. Thompson.  The Highs are a prominent Minneapolis street gang, whose primary agenda consists of gang-related murders, shootings, and the distribution of narcotics. This is the second of back-to-back large trials in which members of the Highs gang have been convicted of RICO or related charges.  The third Highs RICO trial begins on Monday.

“The Highs have long terrorized north Minneapolis, bringing drugs, violence, and murder into our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.  “This verdict represents yet another step in our fight against gang violence.  I want to thank the coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who joined together to investigate and prosecute this violent criminal street gang.  I also want to thank the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section for lending their expertise and partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on our RICO cases.”

Defendants Tyreese Giles, 24, Trevaun Robinson, 29, William Banks, 35, and Gregory Brown, 35, all of Minneapolis, were convicted of federal RICO conspiracy.  As proven at trial, these defendants were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis.  Members of the Highs committed murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies on behalf of the enterprise.  As part of their Highs membership, these defendants were expected to retaliate against their rivals, the Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue.  These two gangs had been in a gang war that spanned years and alleged members of the Lows gang have been separately charged with federal crimes, including racketeering charges.  Giles was also convicted of committing a murder for the benefit of the gang.  Josiah Taylor, 31, was convicted of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking.

This is the second of several trials in this case, which charged over 40 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Nine defendants are awaiting trial.

“Our special agents devoted countless hours coordinating the intricate details of this complex investigation, working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. “The jury’s verdict rightfully recognizes the seriousness of the violence inflicted upon our Minneapolis communities and reflects ATF’s unwavering commitment to relentlessly pursue those who commit craven acts that endanger public safety.  Together, we remain resolute and will continue to aggressively target and dismantle violent criminal enterprises to ensure justice and protect our neighborhoods.”

“The Highs built their reputation on fear, violence, and bloodshed,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “For too long, this violent street gang operated with a ruthless disregard for human life — they poisoned the streets with drugs and left neighborhoods living under the shadow of gunfire and murder. Today’s verdict is a critical step in the fight against violent crime. The FBI and our partners will continue to dismantle violent organizations and pursue these dangerous offenders without pause until our communities are safe from their destructive influence.”

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see violent criminals not only arrested but now convicted,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “These guilty verdicts send a powerful and unmistakable message: we are serious about ending violent crime in our cities. This outcome reflects the incredible work of MPD officers along with the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office. The strategy to target those individuals who cause the greatest harm is paying off.  These convictions will surely bring a renewed sense of justice and hope to the individuals and communities that have been harmed by these violent offenders.”

As financial investigators, IRS Criminal Investigation brings a unique skill set to dismantling violent criminal enterprises,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Our special agents are experts in exposing how criminal organizations move and hide their profits. By following the money, we developed critical financial evidence on significant fentanyl suppliers. IRS-CI joined the RICO task force to combat violent crime, and we will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners to make a noticeable impact in our community.  These convictions are a critical step in restoring safety and stability to the streets of Minneapolis and maintaining the marked decrease in violence in our community.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sherif’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Carla Baumel and Brian Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.