13 Street Gang Members Sentenced

13 members of the Peoria street gang known as “Bomb Squad” have been sentenced. The gang members were convicted in December 2019 for conspiring to operate as a criminal enterprise. They were convicted of conspiring under the RICO statute (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act).

They were conspiring to commit murder, attempted murder, arson, drug trafficking, and gun violence to protect itself, its members, and associates from rival gangs and to protect the standing and reputation of the gang from 2013 to 2018. During the seven weeks of trial and two weeks of the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented that showcased the gang’s illegal activities.

The group used deadly violence, including four murders, more than 20 shootings, and two residential arsons, to intimidate rival gangs, along with social media where the group boasted and glorified its violence. In the crossfire, innocent people were also tragically caught including bullet injuries to an 11-year-old-girl and a murder of a Bystander. The bystander was a Bradley University freshman. He was killed in April 2018, as a bullet passed through the head of a rival gang member and killed her.

U.S District Judge James E. Shadid presided to individual hearings of each defendant over the course of two weeks. The names, ages, and years-imprisonment of the sentenced gang members are:

• Eugene Haywood, 26- life plus 10 years
• Torieuanno White, 26- 40 years
• Ezra Johnson, 24- 37 years
• Lloyd Dotson, 29- 35 years
• Keith Gregory, 21- 30 years
• Jahlin Wilson, 23- 29 years
• Lance Washington, 24- 28 years
• Raevaughn Rogers, 20- 20 years
• Kenwan Crowe, 21- 20 years
• Mytrez Flora, 26- 20 years
• Kentrevion Watkins, 21- 19 years
• Andre Neal-Ford, 22- 14 years
• Sherman Williams, 25- 12 ½ years

U.S. Attorney John Milhiser says the punishments are appropriate to the crimes. He said, “These sentences are appropriate and should send a message to others that violent, lawless behavior will not be tolerated.”