“General” Of Violent Lansing Street Gang “MBM” Sentenced To Over 7 Years In Federal Prison For Illegally Possessing A Firearm

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Damonte Latrell Johnson (“Gudda”), 27, of Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Chief U.S. District Hala Y. Jarbou also ordered Johnson to spend three years on supervised release after his confinement.  Johnson previously pled guilty to this charge in April. 

          “Group-involved violence and illegal firearm possession have no place in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to disrupting the cycle of violence by getting violent offenders off the streets and holding them accountable for breaking the law and spreading fear in our neighborhoods.”

          Johnson was the self-proclaimed “General” and high-level leader of the Lansing area gang known as “Money Bound Mafia,” commonly referred to as “MBM.” Information received by the U.S. Attorney’s Office indicates that MBM is a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates have been involved in numerous criminal activities in the Lansing area, including gun violence, illegal weapons possession and purchase, fraud, non-fatal shootings, and homicides.

Screenshot of Johnson from a YouTube Video with an “MBM” shirt and firearm.

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office, working closely with investigative teams at the Lansing Police Department’s Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), the Michigan State Police (MSP), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) have identified and recently prosecuted several members and individuals associated with violent crimes in Lansing to disrupt the cycle of violence.

          "The Lansing Police Department values the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal resources regarding criminal investigations,” said LPD Chief Ellery Sosebee. “Prosecutions and sentences such as this are an excellent example of the quality of work and the impact these efforts can produce."

          “Individuals who choose a life of fear and violence to enhance their criminal enterprises will be identified and removed from our communities,” said ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarrod Marsh. “The collaborative effort with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, our federal, State of Michigan, and local partners resulted in holding this violent gang member accountable.”

          Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

          Assistant United States Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

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