Two Members of the Westside Crips Criminal Street Gang Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy Relating to Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Other Violent Crimes

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 31, 2018

SAN DIEGO – Two gang members of the Westside Crips pleaded guilty today for their participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving sex trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and other violent crimes as well as possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.    

Corey DeShawn Austin (aka “Westwood”) and Travion McHenry (aka “Too Much”) admitted their respective membership and association with the Westside Crips, who primarily operated in Oceanside and elsewhere.  Sentencing for Austin is scheduled for December 14, 2018.  McHenry is scheduled to be sentenced on October 19, 2018.

In furtherance of the RICO conspiracy, Austin, the lead defendant, admitted he engaged in promoting prostitution of adult females between 2013 and 2015, including while he was in state custody for another offense.  Austin further admitted he possessed narcotics for sale in 2013 with co-defendant McHenry and posted photos of himself throwing up gang signs and wearing gang colors showing his allegiance to Westside Crips on social media between 2013-2016. 

To further his role in the RICO conspiracy, McHenry admitted he committed a 2012 home invasion robbery with two other coconspirators during which the victims were robbed at gunpoint.  He also admitted he possessed narcotics for sale in 2013 with co-defendant Austin and posted photos of himself throwing up gang signs and wearing gang colors showing his allegiance to Westside Crips on social media between 2012-2014.   

“Gang members, their associates and those who assist them will not be permitted to exploit members of our community for their own personal gain and notoriety by promoting sex trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Braverman.

“One of the top priorities for the DEA in San Diego is dismantling violent street gangs that profit by selling drugs in our community.  The profit, cold hard cash, in turn fuels the violence on our streets,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers.  “DEA will continue to target and put away violent street gang members like Mr. Austin and Mr. McHenry because it makes San Diego County a safer place to live.”

“For over a decade, this sophisticated street gang terrorized the streets of Oceanside and the surrounding areas for profit,” said IRS Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe.  “Our agency plays a unique role in federal law enforcement’s resolve to dismantle criminal gang enterprises. Our agents target the profit and financial gains of these violent organizations, following the money in an effort to disrupt these organizations and bring their members to justice.”

“The Oceanside Police Department would like to thank the US Attorney's Office and other law enforcement agencies for their collaboration and hard work during this operation.  “It is collective efforts like this that highlight why the San Diego region is a model for other law enforcement agencies to emulate, to keep their communities safe,” said Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy.

The remaining defendant, William Bright, is set for a motion hearing on October 1, 2018. The other defendants have pleaded guilty and many have been sentenced for their participation in the RICO conspiracy.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

DEFENDANTS                                              Case Number 17cr0270-JAH                                              

Corey DeShawn Austin aka “Westwood”                  Age: 38                       Oceanside, CA

Travion McHenry aka “Too Much”                           Age: 26                       Oceanside, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d) - Conspiracy to Conduct Enterprise Affairs Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity; Title 18, United States Code, Section 1963 - Criminal Forfeiture Maximum Penalties: 20 years’ incarceration, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release

AGENCIES

North County Narcotics Task Force

Drug Enforcement Administration

Oceanside Police Department

Internal Revenue Service