Several members of the Band Crew, a dangerous gang from the Detroit area, have been apprehended by authorities after allegedly bragging about their exploits on social media.
Law enforcement has been placing a greater emphasis on keeping an eye out on social media for suspects who confess to their crimes online. Some departments have gone so far as to have officers whose role is to monitor various social media platforms.
Indictment paperwork for the Band Crew case indicates that eight members of the gang were arrested.
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, the names and charges for the men are:
• Corey Deandre Mapp, 22, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
• Alexander Teontae Johnson, 20, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Leo James Johnson, 20, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a stolen firearm.
• Joseph Hezekiah Ford, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Travontae Javon Joseph, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a stolen firearm.
• Jamell Loval Smith, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Mario Perkins, 18, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
• Akeem Arteaze Walker, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
The gang was formed at a Detroit Burger King in Nov. 2011. Most of the men were minors at time, but as they grew older, the range and severity of their crimes grew as well. What was once "simple" child muggings and harassment turned into gas station robberies, home invasions, shootings, assaults and attempted murders.
Authorities say that the gang has ties with other gangs in the area such as the Young N Crispy, Constantly Making Hundreds - formerly known as Cash Money Hoes - and FOE Life (Family Over Everything Love is Forever), reported Inquisitr. Despite their attempts to intimidate and silence potential witnesses, it was their own videos that allowed authorities to track and ultimately catch members of the gang.
All eight members of the crew caught in the Detroit bust will remain in prison, without any chance of bail, until their next court appearance. It's not known how many years each of them will face if convicted.
