T&A Crips Gang Members Plead Guilty to Murder in Aid of Racketeering
One defendant accepts responsibility for role in 2016 murder of 7-year-old bystander
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Three Columbus men pleaded guilty today as part of a gang-related racketeering conspiracy. Each of the men accepted responsibility for their roles in three separate murders.
Two other defendants have also agreed to plead guilty in this case and will appear before the Court next month.
The five men are part of 19 defendants charged as members and associates of the Trevitt and Atcheson Crips gang known as T&A.
The gang derived its name from Trevitt and Atcheson streets in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus, where its members predominantly reside.
Beginning in June 2010, T&A members and associates conspired in a racketeering enterprise and engaged in murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, witness tampering, robbery, assault and other crimes.
The gang controlled the neighborhood through intimidation, fear and violence. Gang members were expected to retaliate with acts of violence when their members and associates were disrespected, threatened, intimidated or subjected to acts of violence.
Specifically, co-conspirators are charged with five murders:
- the murder of Franky Tention on July 1, 2012, in the area of 431 Ellison Street;
- the murder of William Moore on March 15, 2013;
- the murder of Marvin Ector on December 23, 2013, on East 5th Avenue;
- the murder of Quincy Story on January 24, 2015; and
- the murder of Deaonte Fisher on March 4, 2016.
Terrell Hansard, 22, also known as “T Body,” pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to participating in a racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to traffic drugs and murder in aid of racketeering. Hansard accepted responsibility for his role in the March 2016 murder of 7-year-old Deaonte Fisher. The boy was a bystander in a shooting between rival gang members.
Hansard also distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute between 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine as part of T&A’s West Virginia drug operation.
Brandon Martin, 27, also known as “Gunner,” pleaded guilty to participating in the racketeering conspiracy and murder in the aid of racketeering. According to his court documents, Martin shot and killed rival gang member William Moore in March 2013 on Mount Vernon Avenue. Martin was involved in another gunfight the next day, shooting at a number of other rival gang members and striking one of them.
Charles Carson, 24, also pleaded guilty today in federal court in Columbus. Carson pleaded guilty to participating in the racketeering conspiracy and took responsibility for the January 2015 murder of Quincy Story. Carson shot and killed Story on S. James Road in Columbus. Story was perceived as disrespecting a fallen associate of a T&A subgroup called Waun Gang.
Plea agreement documents have been filed on behalf of two other T&A defendants: Deswan “Dezzy” Robinson and Michael Watson.
Robinson has offered to accept responsibility for his role in the murder of William Moore in March 2013. The Court will consider his plea at a hearing on March 11.
Watson has agreed to plead guilty to participating in a racketeering conspiracy and conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including responsibility for his role in the December 2013 murder of Marvin Ector. He is scheduled to appear before the Court on March 18.
David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jonathan McPherson, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan; United States Marshal Pete Tobin and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced the pleas. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.
# # #
