Westside Crips Gang Member Sentenced to 82 Months

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alessandra P. Serano (202) 252-5843 or Joseph Orabona (619) 546-7951    

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 8, 2019

SAN DIEGO – A leader of the Westside Crips was sentenced to 82 months in prison yesterday for his aggravating role in a racketeering conspiracy involving sex trafficking, narcotics trafficking and other violent crimes as well as possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.    

According to court records, Corey DeShawn Austin, aka “Westwood,” admitted to his membership and association with the Westside Crips, which primarily operated in Oceanside and elsewhere.  Austin pleaded guilty to RICO Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances on August 31, 2018. In furtherance of these crimes, Austin, the lead defendant, admitted he engaged in promoting prostitution of adult females between 2013 and 2015, including while he was in state custody for another offense.  Austin further admitted he possessed narcotics for sale in 2013.  Austin also admitted he promoted the Westside Crips during the RICO conspiracy through photos posted of himself throwing up gang signs and wearing gang colors showing his allegiance to Westside Crips on social media between 2013 and 2016. 

At sentencing, the parties disputed whether Austin had an aggravating role in the RICO conspiracy – a finding that would mean a longer sentence. After hearing testimony from the government and defense expert witnesses at an evidentiary hearing on March 4, 2019, and reviewing the submissions by the parties, U.S. District Judge John A. Houston ruled yesterday that Austin had an aggravating role in the conspiracy because the testimony and evidence proved that he managed, supervised, and directed the criminal activity conducted by other members of the Westside Crips. Judge Houston noted that Austin’s conduct was particularly aggravating because he was managing, supervising and directing other gang members while he was in prison, using a contraband prison cell phone.

Austin was charged in 2017 as part of a larger investigation involving twelve other members of the Westside Crips Criminal Enterprise.  The following table provides a summary of the crimes and sentences for 10 of the other defendants who have been convicted and sentenced in this case:

“The sentence imposed yesterday for one of the leaders of the Westside Crips demonstrates the seriousness of these crimes and will hopefully deter younger members of the community from becoming members of criminal street gangs,” said U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer. “Sex trafficking is a crime that has long-lasting and devastating effects on the women who are controlled by gang members.  This office will continue to target criminal street gangs that promote serious crimes, such as sex trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and other violent crimes in our communities.”

Brewer praised prosecutors Alessandra Serano and Joseph Orabona and law enforcement partners for investigation and legal work that has resulted in a halt to dangerous gang activity.

“One of the top priorities for the DEA in San Diego is dismantling criminal street gangs that profit by selling sex and drugs in our community.  The profit, cold hard cash, in turn fuels the violence on our streets,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers.  “DEA will continue to target and put away criminal street gang members like Mr. Austin because it makes San Diego County a safer place to live.”

“For over a decade, this sophisticated street gang terrorized the streets of Oceanside and the surrounding areas for profit,” said IRS Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner.  “Our agency plays a unique role in federal law enforcement’s resolve to dismantle criminal gang enterprises. Our agents target the profit and financial gains of these violent organizations, following the money in an effort to disrupt these organizations and bring their members to justice.”

“The Oceanside Police Department would like to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office and other law enforcement agencies for their collaboration and hard work during this operation.  “It is collective efforts like this that highlight why the San Diego region is a model for other law enforcement agencies to emulate, to keep their communities safe,” said Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy.

The remaining defendant, William Bright, has a sentencing hearing on May 13, 2019.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

DEFENDANT                                                           Case Number: 17CR0270-JAH                              

Corey DeShawn Austin aka “Westwood”                  Age: 38                       Oceanside, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d) - Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity

Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ in prison, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release

Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) – Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances

Maximum Penalties: 5 years’ in prison, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release

AGENCIES

North County Narcotics Task Force

Drug Enforcement Administration

Oceanside Police Department

Internal Revenue Service