Alleged Members of the Gangster Disciples Indicted for Roles in Attempted Murder of Five Teens

Memphis, TN – Several alleged members of the Gangster Disciples have been indicted federally for their roles in the attempted murder of five teenagers in South Memphis.

U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III; Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich; Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong; Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham; Special Agent in Charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Steven Gerido; and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Todd McCall announced the superseding indictment today.

According to the superseding indictment, Ranito Allen, aka Nito, 35; Florence Anthony, aka Nikki, 36; Edwin Carvin, aka Ren, 38; Brandon Milton, aka Lil Folk, 30; and Erik Reese, aka E, 35, all of Memphis, were charged with five counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, among other offenses. Candies Wesley, 29, also of Memphis, was charged with being an accessory after the fact of attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

Alleged gang member Robert Mallory, aka Rambo, 33, was previously charged in this case. He remains charged in the superseding indictment.

As the superseding indictment alleges, all seven defendants are members of the Gangster Disciples, which is a nationally-known organized street gang that originated in the Chicago area and spread to other regions of the United States, including Memphis and surrounding areas. The Gangster Disciples are responsible for committing multiple acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault. The gang is also responsible for distributing large quantities of narcotics and trafficking firearms.

In June 2014, the defendants allegedly participated in the attempted murder of five teenagers in South Memphis for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining or increasing their position in the Gangster Disciples.

Six of the defendants – Ranito Allen; Florence Anthony; Edwin Carvin; Brandon Milton; Robert Mallory; and Erik Reese – were charged with five counts of attempted murder. They each were also charged with five counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, aiding and abetting.

Mallory, Allen, and Carvin have all also been charged with being felons in possession of firearms.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, which is a part of the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU). MGU is also comprised of the Memphis Police Department; Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Attorney’s Office; and the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Sam Stringfellow and David N. Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, in cooperation with the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office.

The charges contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.