SOUTH BEND, IN—United States Attorney David Capp announced that seven individuals alleged to be members of the Cash Out Boyz street gang were charged in an indictment with RICO violations. The indictment alleges that from 2010 through 2012, these individuals conducted the affairs of the Cash Out Boyz, an ongoing criminal enterprise, by engaging in the distribution of controlled substances and in acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults with deadly weapons, robbery, and home invasions. This pattern of illegal activity occurred primarily in South Bend, Indiana.
The indictment unsealed today charges the following individuals:
- Demerius M. Shaw, 20, of South Bend, Indiana, is charged with participating in and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime and aiding and abetting; carrying and using a firearm during a crime of violence; and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
- Timothy Whitfield, 21, of South Bend, Indiana, is charged with participating in and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime; and violent crime in aid of racketeering/assault with a deadly weapon.
- Alvin Blade, III, 20, of South Bend, Indiana, is charged with participating in and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime.
- Jarvis Ward, 19, of South Bend, Indiana, is charged with participating in and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; and aiding and abetting the carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime.
- Jaleen L. McGee, 20, of South Bend, Indiana, is charged with participating in and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; and carrying and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
- Brison K. Williams, 20, of South Bend, Indiana, is charged with participating in and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; and violent crime in aid of racketeering/assault with a deadly weapon.
- Rickey Hemphill, 19, of South Bend, Indiana, is charged with participating in and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; and violent crime in aid of racketeering/assault with a deadly weapon.
Ward and Whitfield are alleged to be leaders of the Cash Out Boyz.
The indictment alleges 18 acts of racketeering which include multiple acts of attempted murder and one act of murder. Specifically:
- The attempted murder of David Adams on March 19, 2010, allegedly committed by Timothy Whitfield.
- The attempted murders of three members of the Kaley St. gang on May 22, 2010, allegedly committed by Rickey Hemphill and other Cash Out Boyz members.
- The attempted murder of Devencie Ervin on May 28, 2010, allegedly committed by Timothy Whitfield.
- The attempted murder of Anthony Carter on June 19, 2010, allegedly committed by Timothy Whitfield.
- The attempted murder of Jerrell Sanders on January 21, 2011, allegedly committed by Alvin Blade, III.
- The attempted murder of Kenny Wade on June 5, 2011, allegedly committed by Demerius Shaw, Jaleen McGee, and other Cash Out Boyz members.
- The murder of Steven Chatman on August 8, 2011, allegedly committed by Demerius Shaw.
The remaining acts of racketeering allege various drug transactions and robberies.
United States Attorney Capp stated, “The indictment today represents part of our ongoing effort in northern Indiana against violent street gangs. Our investigation is continuing, and we are not going to stop until we remove these violent offenders from the streets.”
Capp praised the cooperative efforts of the ATF, FBI, USMS, and the SBPD. Capp also stated, “My office has been working in conjunction with St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak and his office. This is a team effort on all fronts, and this Cash Out Boyz indictment would not have occurred without the St. Joe County Prosecutor’s office.”
Timothy Whitfield and Demerius Shaw are in custody on other charges. Blade, McGee, and Hemphill were arrested today and will have their initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich at 4 p.m. The United States Attorney’s Office will be seeking pre-trial detention on all defendants.
Brison Williams and Jarvis Ward are still at large. If anyone has any information that would assist in bringing them to justice, please call the FBI at 574-233-4488 or the U.S. Marshals Service at 574-236-8291. All calls will be treated confidentially.
Three members of the Cash Out Boyz gang—Javon D. Thomas, Jeffrey A. Sheppard, and Wilber Crawford—were charged earlier this year (May 9, 2012) in a federal indictment. They pleaded guilty in June 2012 to brandishing a firearm during a federal drug trafficking crime. The three are awaiting sentencings that are set in late May 2013 and early June 2013 in federal court.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Marshals Service; the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office; the St. Joseph County Police Department; and the South Bend Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Donald Schmid and Kenneth Hays.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
