Members Of Western Addition “CDP” Gang Charged With Racketeering Conspiracy, Murder, Attempted Murder, Assault With A Dangerous Weapon, Pimping, And Related Charges

SAN FRANCISCO – A seventeen-count federal superseding indictment charging nine members of the “Central Divis Playas,” a/k/a “CDP” gang, and one associate, was returned by the Grand Jury on January 9, 2014, in federal court, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag. The ten defendants, all of San Francisco, listed below, are already in state or federal custody:

• ALFONZO WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Fonz,” a/k/a “Relly,”
• ANTONIO GILTON, JR., a/k/a “TG,”
• BARRY GILTON, a/k/a “Prell,”
• LUPE MERCADO,
• ADRIAN GORDON, a/k/a “Tit,”
• REGINALD ELMORE, a/k/a “Fat Reg,”
• CHARLES HEARD, a/k/a “Cheese,”
• ESAU FERDINAND, a/k/a “Sauce,”
• PAUL ROBESON, a/k/a “P World,” and
• MONZELL HARDING. JR.

According to the Superseding Indictment, CDP is a violent street gang based in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco. Nine defendants, all except Mercado, are charged with a racketeering conspiracy, related to the conduct of the affairs of CDP through the crimes of murder, attempted murder, robbery, narcotics trafficking, pimping, pimping of minors, and extortion. Williams, Antonio Gilton, Barry Gilton, and Mercado are charged with the June 4, 2012, murder of Calvin Sneed in San Francisco, in aid of racketeering and associated firearms charges. Mercado is charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Defendants Elmore and Heard are charged with the August 14, 2008, double murder in aid of racketeering of Andre Helton and Isaiah Turner in San Francisco and related firearms offenses. Adrian Gordon is charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of those offenses. Esau Ferdinand is charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, maiming in aid of racketeering, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of those crimes of violence. Each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and Elmore and Heard could face a death sentence, following consideration of the case by the U.S. Attorney General.

The prosecution is the result of joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; San Francisco Police Department’s Gang Task Force, Homicide Detail, Robbery Detail, Special Victims Unit, and the Northern, Park, and Bayview Stations; San Francisco District Attorney’s Office; and the San Pablo Police Department.

Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against a person and, as with all defendants, these defendants must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

(Williams et al superseding indictment)