Minnesota indicts more accused gang members

A Minneapolis federal grand jury on Wednesday returned an 18-count indictment against nearly a dozen alleged gang members. The charges ranged from drug trafficking to murder, according to the Department of Justice. The 11 defendants are believed to be leaders and members of the Lows, a violent street gang. They stand accused under the RICO Act for patterns of racketeering and violence, according to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

What specific crimes are they accused of committing? The indictment included charges of trafficking guns and drugs, including fentanyl, along with charges of murder and attempted murder, Argentieri said. They are charged with seven shootings and five murders that involved 10 victims, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger explained. The charges listed only include violence within the last three years, he added. The defendants range between the ages of 19 to 38, with most in their 20s. Defendants face up to life in prison for RICO crimes, including racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

The Lows are an exceptionally violent criminal street gang that terrorized the city for nearly 20 years, and authorities will continue dismantling this criminal enterprise with future investigations, Luger said. Federal prosecutors have indicted dozens of Minneapolis gang members under the RICO Act since May 2023, more than 40 of whom have been convicted.

Dig deeper: Read Sharon Dierberger’s report on a Minnesota ministry to former gang members.