Three Bloods Gang Members Convicted at Trial of Racketeering (RICO) and Firearms Offenses

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Three Minneapolis Bloods gang members were found guilty of racketeering (RICO) and firearms offenses in connection with a years-long pattern of gang violence, including two murders, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“The Minneapolis Bloods gang is a violent criminal enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “As the evidence proved, the defendants convicted today were members of that enterprise, and they carried out violence and murder on its behalf. As Bloods members, the rules these defendants lived by superseded all criminal laws and social tenets, such as respect for human life or concern for public safety.”

“Today, a jury reached a verdict that sends a clear message to those who seek to terrorize our streets: we will find you, we will remove you from our streets, and we will bring you to justice,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “Thank you to all those who have put in countless hours to ensure the successful prosecution of these violent individuals. To our community members who have been affected by the violent acts perpetrated by these violent gang members, I hope today brings you some sense of justice and closure.”

“The FBI is committed to working tirelessly to disrupt violent gangs like the Bloods and ensure that our communities are safer,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “This guilty verdict sends a clear message: we will not tolerate gang violence, drug trafficking, or the devastation these criminal organizations cause. We are proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to bring these individuals to justice.”

Following a weeks-long trial before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court, Desean James Solomon, aka Black, 34, Michael Allen Burrell, aka Skitz, 44, and Leontawan Lentez Holt, aka Leon, aka Shotta, aka Shot Dog, 26, were found guilty on all charges. Solomon was convicted of one count of RICO conspiracy and two counts of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder. Burrell and Holt were each convicted of one count of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.

According to the evidence presented at trial, since at least 2020, Solomon, Burrell, and Holt, have been members and associates of the Minneapolis Bloods street gang. Historically, the gang’s territory is located on the south side of Minneapolis, near Chicago Avenue South and 38^th Street East. The hierarchy of the Bloods includes a head or leader of the gang, senior leaders, street-level leaders, and other members or associates. New recruits (called “YGs” or young gangsters) must fight, shoot, or make money to gain respect and increase their position in the gang. The next level is “OG” (original gangsters), who are well-respected members of the gang, and the highest level is “double OG.” All OGs are equal in rank and can direct “shots” or orders. “Enforcers” carry out the OG’s “shots” or orders by beating or assaulting the offender. If a Bloods member is disrespected, other members are expected to retaliate. When shootings break out with opposition gangs, Bloods members within proximity are expected to come to each other’s aid by firing their own weapons at opposition gang members.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on June 14, 2020, Solomon, Burrell, and other Bloods members went to the 200 Club, a nightclub in north Minneapolis, where they assaulted a rival gang member in the men’s restroom. Following the assault, a shooting broke out outside the club. Solomon and Burrell both fired their weapons multiple times, resulting in the murder of a rival gang member.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on April 23, 2022, Solomon, Holt, and other Bloods members went to Williams Pub, a bar in the Uptown neighborhood of south Minneapolis, to celebrate a birthday. Inside the bar, Holt threw an unprovoked punch at a rival gang member and the rest of the Bloods members joined in. A large bar fight ensued. After several minutes, the Bloods members exited the bar onto a nearby street, where Holt and a juvenile member of the Bloods shot at and killed a rival gang member.

Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date. With today’s convictions, a total of 17 Bloods members and associates have pleaded guilty or have been convicted at trial.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Esther Mignanelli Soria, Kristian Weir, and Campbell Warner tried the case.