Jury Trial Results in Conviction of Pominent 1-9 Gang Member for Conspiracy to Possess Firearms

United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the conviction of VELTREZ BLACK, a/k/a “Chief,” for participating in two street gangs operating throughout Hennepin County. The defendant was a prominent member of the 1-9 gang, which worked together with the Stick up Boys gang to illegally obtain and jointly possess firearms. BLACK was convicted yesterday after a jury trial in federal court of conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm. A sentencing date has not been set. The other ten co-conspirators indicted in this case have all pleaded guilty.

As proven at trial and according to the defendants’ guilty pleas, the defendants coordinated their illegal activities in order to obtain firearms by theft, trading drugs for guns, and by using straw purchasers without felony histories to buy guns for those members of the gang with felony records. On five separate occasions between August 2010 and November 2014, BLACK was in possession of a total of 12 separate guns while a convicted felon and while in the company of other 1-9 gang members who also were convicted felons. The 1-9 and Stick Up Boys were in a gang war with two other rival gangs. The gang war resulted in the shooting deaths and wounding of numerous gang members on both sides of the conflict. At least fifteen alleged gang members were killed or wounded by gunfire during the gang conflict.

Due to the conflict, members of 1-9 and Stick Up Boys conspired with straw purchasers to illegally acquire and jointly possess firearms. The straw purchasers, DEONTAY JONES and LAKESHA COLEMAN, purchased at least ten guns in their own names and provided at least some of those firearms to members of the 1-9 and Stick Up Boys. JONES filed false police reports explaining that these guns were stolen from his home, when in fact, at least two of the guns were provided to 1-9 gang members.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Minneapolis Police Department. The investigation began as part of an ongoing effort to reduce gang activity connected with numerous incidents of violent crime in Hennepin County. VOTF investigators on this case include personnel from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Brooklyn Center Police Department, Golden Valley Police Department, and Richfield Police Department. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Paulsen.

Defendant Information:

VELTREZ BLACK, a/k/a “Chief”

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 1 count

TYWIN BENDER, a/k/a “Finn Winn”

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count

NITELEN JACKSON, a/k/a “King Nite”

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count

DONTEVIUS CATCHINGS, a/k/a “Lil Snake”

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count

CINQUE OWENS

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count

JABARI JOHNSON

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 1 count

DARRYL PARKER, a/k/a “Thirsty”

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 1 count

MARQUIS WOODS, a/k/a “Quis Moe”

Convicted:
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 1 count

MARQUES ARMSTRONG, a/k/a “Lil Kease”

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count

DEONTAY JONES

Convicted:
• Unlawful controlled substances user in possession of firearms, 1 count

LAKESHA COLEMAN

Convicted:
• Conspiracy – Felon in Possession of Firearms, 1 count