US Attorney in Louisiana indicts 24 alleged Shreveport gang members on CARES Act fraud charges
Makenzie BoucherAccording to US Attorney Brandon B. Brown, 24 individuals from Shreveport have been indicted on fraud charges related to the CARES Act.
In March 2020 the U.S. Congress enacted the CARES Act which was designed to provide emergency funds to millions of Americans who were suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, individuals within the Western District of Louisiana applied for these funds on false pretenses. "Individuals either completed paperwork or they conspired with others indicted and unindicted to complete this EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Lonas) and PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan paperwork to obtain or attempt to obtain anywhere from approximately $20,000 to approximately $200,000," Brown said. "Thus, taking advantage of America and at her most vulnerable state."
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, an indictment is an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These defendants could face up to 20 years in prison, one to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
The 24 defendants listed are reportedly all members or associates of a Shreveport street gang referred to as Step or Die or SOD. Brown continued by saying that the U.S. Attorney's Office has a great relationship with local law enforcement and has been able to identify that some of the defendants indicted have participated in recent activities such as the mass shootings.
During a press conference on Tuesday, July 18, Brown said, "we will continue to investigate and prosecute those who took advantage of the taxpayer dollar during this time to the fullest extent of the law. This is not the first CARES Act prosecution that we brought, and this will not be the last."
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Here are the individuals indicted on wire fraud charges:
- Sirdell McCullough
- Roderguiz Henry
- Johntrell Crutchfield
- Deanthony Johnson
- Deaaundrakous Hagger
- Nico Stewart
- Timothy Vasher
- Destane Glass
- Xavien Beasley
- Quinterrius Brown
- Toronco Loston
- Dewonnie Brown
- Joshua Dominique
- Kadarius Jenkins
- Jasmine Glass
- Tramaine Taylor
- Antoria Johnson
- Joketa Baulkman
- Tyneal Johnson
- Cierra Fleming
- Tramarciea Ruffins
- Olivia Thomas
- Samarrian Kingston
- Lakeah Gipson
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"We've been investigating violent street gangs since before COVID," Brown said. "We've prosecuted some of the individuals federally in this indictment that have gone to federal prison, and they've gotten out and they're back at it again."
Brown continued by saying these indictments are just one way the U.S. Attorney's Office is working to tackle the violent crime in Northwest Louisiana. "There are certain crimes, we cannot prosecute; standalone murders, attempted murders, drive-by shootings," Brown said. "There's no federal statute that allows us to prosecute those; if there were I would do it in a heartbeat. But there are other ways that we can help and prosecute individuals."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Treasury-Inspector General for Tax Administration and United States Marshal’s Service are investigating this case and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.
The U.S. Marshal's Service Task Force is still looking for Roderguiz Henry. If anyone has any information on his whereabouts the task force is asking that you report it to their office at 318-934-4300.
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Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.