National gangs will eventually move into the area assimilating neighborhood-based unaffiliated local street gangs.March 17, 2010 SUFFOLK VA NEWS -- A member of the "Dump Squad," a neighborhood-based unaffiliated local gang, Edward Davis, 25, of Newport News, Virginia, has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering two people and racketeering. Davis pled guilty on November 17, 2009, to his participation in a racketeering conspiracy, discharging a firearm during a robbery, brandishing a firearm during a robbery and murder of Terrell Williams in Newport News on November 8, 2006. Davis was also involved in the murder of Tiarra Campbell in Newport News on January 17, 2007, to prevent her communication and cooperation with law enforcement officers regarding the criminal activities of the Dump Squad street gang members. According to a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, between 2003 and 2009, Davis was a member of the "Dump Squad" street gang, a criminal organization that operated primarily in the Ridley Circle, Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court areas of Newport News. Members engaged in drug distribution and violence including murder, attempted murder and robbery. They often carried firearms to intimidate others and protect themselves from rival gangs. Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alex J. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Norfolk Division, and James D. Fox, Chief of Newport News Police, yesterday made the announcement after the sentencing of Davis by United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. "Edward Davis will spend the rest of his life behind bars to pay for the terror he and his gang raged on Newport News," said U.S. Attorney MacBride. "As a result of extraordinary law enforcement work, and the assistance of citizens, we saw crime drop by 44 percent after Edward Davis and other members of the Dump Squad were taken off the streets." "The significant decrease in crime in the area controlled by the Dump Squad shows what a tremendous positive effect removing violent criminals from our streets has on the community. I am extremely proud of the tenacious work done by all the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation." said Chief Fox. "As we continue to work with other local, state and federal agencies to fight crime, the word to the criminal element continues to be 'we are coming after you'." "This is a sterling example of a joint investigation initiated by the Newport News Police Department that successfully disrupted a criminal enterprise that was eroding the quality of life for the residents of Newport News." said Special Agent Turner. "We hope this investigation sends a message that the violence associated with criminal enterprises and led by persons such as Edward Davis will not be tolerated." According to National Gang Threat Assessment (NGTA) of 2009, more than 2,900 gangs with approximately 73,650 members are criminally active in the East Region of the United States. The most significant gangs operating in the East Region are:
Additionally, over the past few years, MS 13 has posed a significant concern to law enforcement in Maryland and Virginia. However, recent law enforcement actions against MS 13 members may have disrupted some of the gang's operations. Finally, Hampton Roads, according to NGTA, is assessed with less than 500 gang members per city, except for Norfolk, which is assessed with 2500 to 3499 active gang members. Gangs in the East Region are expected to continue to expand their operations. It is predicted as these gangs grow in numbers, they will expand from urban communities into suburban and rural locations throughout the East Region. Therefore, Hampton Roads most likely will see National gangs eventually move into the area assimilating neighborhood-based unaffiliated local street gangs such as the Dump Squad. The good news is for now, Newport News is less one criminal element, the Dump Squad is history. # # # |
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