June 19, 2009:
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The two fugitive members of the "110 Gang" have been caught.
Syracuse police say 23-year-old Schiquan Harrison turned himself in to investigators late Friday afternoon, while 21-year-old Jerry Slaughter was found hiding inside a home on the east side of the city.
Thursday, 12 of the members, including Harrison and Slaughter, were indicted on charges of racketeering, which includes drug trafficking, armed assault and robbery.
The indictment claims that the gang, which Syracuse police call the city's most violent, has been operating for eleven years.
They will all appear for detention hearings over the next few days.
June 18, 2009:
Feds charge twelve members of “110 Gang”
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Members of what police are calling Syracuse's most violent gang are now facing a slew of federal charges.
Five members of the "110 Gang" were picked up Thursday; five were already behind bars, and police are looking for two more.
The men are charged with racketeering, which includes drug trafficking, armed assaults and robbery.
Facing charges are Reddell Smith, 24, Clinton Hill, 29, Jermaine Barnum, 25, Darquan Walker, 23, Arthur Bullock, 22, Ralph Walker, 23, Schiquan Harrison, 23, Marquise Scott, 25, Jerry Slaughter, 21, Keith Horton 21, Bryan Shepard, 24 and Quashawn Blunt, 19, all of Syracuse.
The indictment claims that the gang has been operating in Syracuse for 11 years.
The 110's turf runs north from Onondaga and South Avenues to Tallman Street. They are the so-called rulers of all the streets in between, with Bellevue running in the middle.
Members of the 110 Gang deal drugs on the street corners, fight, and use guns as their mode of communication.
“It’s not for want of trying that no one has died,” says U.S. Attorney Andrew Baxter.
Police Chief Gary Miguel is sure that the gang has been involved in murders. They're hoping this raid brings forth the evidence they need to prove it.
The 110 protects their turf; any rival gang member who crosses into their streets risks being shot or stabbed.
One member's gun has been used in 13 shootings throughout the neighborhood.
The gang uses graffiti, such as that on the side of the Southwest Community Center, to mark their territory and communicate with each other.
Crack cocaine is the 110's main source of income. They turn impressionable children -- as young as 12 and 13 -- into drug dealers.
“We hope community leaders and parents and churches play their part and bring kids to their senses,” Baxter says.
The gang task force put a year into this investigation, and are ready to clear the streets of more.
“The next gang will be looked at today,” says Miguel. “That's when we'll start next investigation. Today.”
“Get out of your gangs,” Miguel continued, “if you choose not to, kiss your friends goodbye -- it won't be long until you're behind bars.”
Neighbors we spoke with hope these arrests fix the gang problem.
"I think it's marvelous," says Ella Mae Potter of Citizens for Crime-Free Communities. "I hope it does good ... but it depends on the judges."
"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?” says Robin Potter, who is part of the neighborhood’s crime watch group. “What are these kids going to do when they leave prison, because they don't have any vocational skills?”
The U.S. Marshals are On The Lookout for two other gang members, Schiquan Harrison and Jerry Slaughter. They are considered armed and very dangerous.
Call 473-7625 if you have information on either man.
The ten gang members who are in custody will appear for detention hearings over the next couple of days.
