Wichita, Kansas
April 15, 2009
Five members of Crips street gangs in Wichita have been found guilty on conspiracy to engage in racketeering and other charges; a sixth defendant was convicted on a firearms charge.
A federal jury returned a verdict Wednesday morning in Wichita, ending a trial that began Feb. 24, and went to the jury on March 30. The verdict marks the second time in Kansas that a jury has found street gang-members guilty of racketeering. Last November, the first trial ended in the convictions of three members of the Crips: Clinton A.D. Knight, Tracy Harris, and Chester Randall, Jr.
Both trials were the result of charges brought after a major investigation by the Wichita Police Department into gang crimes. Last May 2008, Wichita police and the U.S. Attorney’s office teamed up to file the first federal indictments in state history under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The indictments alleged that the defendants and other members of Crips street gangs in Wichita conspired to create and maintain through acts of violence and intimidation a drug trafficking operation.
“The Wichita Police are encouraged by today’s guilty verdicts,” said police chief Norman Williams. “Over the past 21 years, these criminal gangs have used fear, intimidation, and violence to terrorize our community. Today’s verdicts reflect the tremendous partnership between federal, local and state law enforcement agencies that have worked together for many years to bring these people to justice.”
The jury returned the following verdicts:
*Jonearl Smith, 30, Wichita: guilty on one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, and one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. He was found not guilty on one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The jury did not reach a verdict on one count of participating in a racketeering influenced and corrupt organization.
*Lonnie Wade, 29, Wichita: guilty on one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, one count of maintaining 1815 E. 23rd in furtherance of drug trafficking, and two counts of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. He was found not guilty on one count of maintaining 505 N. Rock Road, Apt. 1111 in furtherance of drug trafficking. The jury did not reach a verdict on one count of participating in a racketeering influenced and corrupt organization.
*Corey Cornelius, 30, Wichita: guilty on one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The jury did not reach a verdict on one count of participating in a racketeering influenced and corrupt organization.
*Darryn Frierson, 36, Wichita: guilty on one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, one count of distribution of cocaine, one count of distribution of crack cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of maintaining 2249 N. Minneapolis in furtherance of drug trafficking, and two counts of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. He was found not guilty on one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The jury did not reach a verdict on one count of engaging in racketeering.
*Calvin Williams, 29, Wichita: guilty on one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering. He was found not guilty on one count of threatening a witness, and one count of threatening a person for information relating to a crime against a law enforcement officer. The jury did not reach a verdict on one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
*Jermall Campbell, 27, Wichita: guilty on one count of unlawful possession of ammunition after a felony conviction. He was found not guilty on one count of racketeering, one count of conspiracy to engage in racketeering, and one count of murder.
Some defendants are facing mandatory minimum sentences because of prior convictions.
The Wichita Police Department led the federal investigation. The police department’s Cold Case Task Force also included members from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General; Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office; the U.S. Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Also assisting with the investigation were the Kansas Department of Health and Human Services; the state Bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control; the Kansas Attorney General’s Office; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies.
