Las Vegas, Nev. – Federal charges have been filed against 10 Las Vegas men alleging they committed acts of violence and drug trafficking as part of their membership in a violent street gang known as the Playboy Bloods, announced Greg Brower, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

In an Indictment returned by the Federal Grand Jury on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and unsealed today, Delvin Ward, aka "D-Luv," 32, Anthony Mabry, aka "AK" and "Akim Slim," 37, Markette Tillman, aka "Ketty P," 27, Demichael Burks, aka "Mikey P," 25, Jacorey Taylor, aka "Mo-B," 26, Fred James Nix, aka "June P," 32, Sebastian Wigg, aka "Rock," 31, Reginald Dunlap, aka "Bowlie," 26, Steven Booth, aka "Stevie-P," 23, and Terrence Thomas, aka "Seven" and "Seven A," 34, are charged with Conspiracy to Engage in a Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization and Conspiracy to Engage in Drug Trafficking. The defendants are also charged variously with Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and Possession With Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

"This case demonstrates our relentless commitment to fighting gang crime in Nevada," said U.S. Attorney Brower. "It also underscores the importance of our cooperative relationships with the local police departments as an invaluable tool in investigating and deterring violent crime."

The Indictment alleges that the Playboy Bloods operate in Las Vegas, Nevada, and are affiliated with the "Bloods," a nationally known criminal gang whose members engage in drug trafficking and acts of violence. The Playboy Bloods operate primarily in the Sherman Gardens Annex housing complex, commonly known as the Jets, located at H and Doolittle Streets in Las Vegas. The Playboy Bloods, known for wearing red and black colors and a Playboy Bunny emblem, make money primarily from the sale of crack cocaine. The gang has a history of violence and conflicts with security officers who patrol the Jets. These conflicts have resulted in murder, attempted murder, and assault and battery. The specific incidents of violence cited in the Indictment are:

On January 20, 2004, defendants Markette Tillman and Steven Booth allegedly murdered Brian Wilcox, a security guard at the Jets. Wilcox was shot in the back as he rode his bicycle away from a disturbance involving Tillman, Booth, and others in front of 1723 Curran Way in Las Vegas.

On November 1, 2004, defendants Jacorey Taylor, Reginald Dunlap, and Steven Booth, allegedly murdered Billy Thomas in the parking lot of the Pecos Terrace Apartments at 3555 E. Lake Mead Boulevard in Las Vegas. Thomas was shot multiple times in the back as he worked on a car.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life imprisonment on the racketeering charges, not less than 10 years imprisonment on the firearm charges, to run consecutively with any other charge, not less than 10 years imprisonment on the drug trafficking charges, and substantial fines. Their sentences can also be increased by up to 10 years for committing the crimes as part of a criminal street gang. Additionally, defendants Tillman, Booth, Taylor, and Dunlap could face the death penalty for the murders of Brian Wilcox and Billy Thomas, because it is alleged that the murders were committed intentionally following substantial planning and premeditation.

Defendants Ward, Burks, and Wigg, were arrested in Las Vegas on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. They appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy A. Leen and pleaded not guilty. Ward and Burks were detained and Wigg was released on a personal recognizance bond with conditions of home detention and electronic monitoring. Defendant Nix was arrested in Las Vegas today, and is scheduled for an initial appearance hearing tomorrow. The remaining defendants are in Nevada state custody and are expected to appear in U.S. District Court on November 7, 2008, for an arraignment and plea.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, North Las Vegas Police Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen Bliss and Nicholas D. Dickinson.

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