ATF and law enforcement agencies carry out a major crackdown on gang activity in South Dallas
Dallas, Texas – Federal authorities arrested eight members of the 42 Oakland Crips street gang last week following a large-scale law enforcement operation in South Dallas. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) led the effort, named “Operation Blue Laces,” with assistance from local and federal agencies. The arrests were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham.
Major Gang Takedown in South Dallas
The Monday raid took place in the Wheatley Place neighborhood, an area notorious for gang-related activity. Law enforcement apprehended eight suspects, all of whom appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee H. Toliver on Wednesday. The defendants face serious federal charges, including drug trafficking, firearm possession, and violent crimes.
Authorities revealed that the gang operated openly on Casey Street, a location known as the “Dead End,” where members conducted daily drug sales. Evidence presented at a Friday detention hearing showed that gang members used cell phones to warn each other of law enforcement activity and continued selling drugs immediately after police raids.
Criminal Charges and Extensive Rap Sheets
The defendants face a range of federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute drugs, illegal firearm possession, carjacking, and brandishing firearms during violent crimes. Many of the arrested individuals had extensive criminal records, with previous gun and drug-related convictions.
The charged individuals include:
- Kendrick Jamal Young (“Peanut”) – Charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Authorities seized a Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol, a Ruger 9mm pistol, and a FedArm AR-15 style pistol in his possession.
- Christopher Jamiel Love (“Black”) – Facing the same charges as Young, including possession of firearms linked to drug trafficking operations.
- Jamarian Augustus Hewitt – Charged with drug distribution, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and using a cell phone to facilitate a drug felony. Authorities seized a Ruger 9mm pistol from him.
- Alex Jerome Bowman (“Big A”) – Charged with drug trafficking conspiracy.
- Joshua Jimond Wheatley – Charged with drug trafficking conspiracy.
- Victor Scott Wingham (“Johnny Joe”) – Charged with drug trafficking conspiracy.
- Travion Williams (“Traa Savage”) – Charged with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, specifically a Taurus 9mm pistol and a Glock 9mm pistol.
- Jihadd Thies Gorree Thomas – Charged with carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, using the same type of weapons as Williams.
Major Drug and Firearm Seizures
During the operation, law enforcement seized 14 firearms, over a kilogram of methamphetamine pills, and large amounts of oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, alprazolam, marijuana, THC wax, and hash. Authorities also confiscated over $47,000 in cash, six vehicles, and multiple Crips-themed jewelry pieces.
In an unusual discovery, officers found a caiman alligator, which was transported to the Dallas Zoo for safety.
If convicted, some of the defendants face life in federal prison due to the severity of their charges. However, authorities emphasized that an indictment is not a conviction, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) led the investigation with support from multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, the Dallas Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the IRS – Criminal Investigative Division, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Game Wardens. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assisted with the care and transportation of the confiscated alligator. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert is handling the prosecution.
Operation Blue Laces represents a major federal effort to combat gang-related crime, drug trafficking, and violent offenses in Dallas. Authorities remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of local communities.
