Twenty people have been convicted in connection with a four-year prosecution of MGS gang violence. Photo by Somchai Kongkamsri/Pexels
Twenty people have been convicted on charges of murder, shooting and other felonies following a four-year prosecution of a Wilmington gang that resulted in a 100% conviction rate.
The push helped reduce the number of shootings in Delaware 30% since 2020, according to a statement from the Delaware Department of Justice.
In essence, the press release said, the Wilmington Police Department and state Attorney General’s office went undefeated in the efforts to convict every one of the 20 members of MGS — âM-Block Grimy Savagesâ — and reduce the loss of life in the city.
The defendants were given more than 100 years of confirmed prison time, and several defendants yet to be sentenced face multiple potential life sentences.
âThis is an exclamation point on a case that our team has lived and breathed for more than four years,â said Attorney General Kathleen Jennings. âThese gang members are responsible for unthinkable violence in our city, for losses of lives that can never be restored, and for the pain and suffering of the victimsâ families and every city resident who has borne the cost of gun violence.”
Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos called the results “nothing short of remarkable.”
He said it encompassed four murders, a six-person shooting incident, six additional shooting incidents, a robbery and a number of gun offenses.â
“This investigation has undoubtedly saved lives and prevented shootings and other violent crime, and we hope that this serves as a strong reminder to others engaged in gun violence in our community that we will not stop until they are held accountable,â he said.
The Stateâs case against MGS (âM-Block Grimy Savagesâ) began in September 2019 as an effort to address gang violence in Wilmington through a newly formed Task Force, which consisted of personnel from the Delaware Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, Wilmington Police Department, the ATF and the FBI.
Traces on crime guns recovered in and around Wilmington helped the Task Force identify MGS as a major driver of violence in Wilmington.
The ensuing investigation identified 19 defendants â 17 adults and 2 juveniles â involved with MGS or aligned gangs and numerous violent felonies, as well as a non-MGS member who contracted a Dover killing.
The crimes included the killings of Shiheem Durham, Naithan Grzybowski, Tommier Dendy and Eddie Green; a six-victim mass shooting at the intersection of 10th and Pine Streets in April 2019; six additional shooting cases; a robbery; and numerous gun offenses.
ALSO IN THE NEWS: Eddie the Eagle helps teach Sussex students gun safety
The 20th member to be convicted was Dante Robinson, 22. He was found guilty of Murder 2nd degree, gang participation, conspiracy 1st degree, and conspiracy 2nd degree, and faces 15 years to life at sentencing.
In addition to Robinson, the convictions were:
Gang convictions
- Jason Calhum, 22, guilty of murder 1st degree (Durham), gang participation, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, money laundering, conspiracy 1st degree, and three counts of conspiracy 2nd degree
- Khalil Dixon, 26, guilty of murder 1st degree (Durham), money laundering, criminal solicitation 1st degree, conspiracy 1st degree and conspiracy 2nd degree
- Tyrie Burton, 24, guilty of conspiracy 1st degree, assault 1st degree, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, gang participation, and violation of probation
- Davon Walker, 23, guilty of murder 2nd degree (Grzybowski), murder 2nd degree (Dendy), murder 2nd degree (Green), gang participation, and conspiracy 1st Degree
- Pierre Carter-Bailey, 23, guilty of assault 1st degree, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
- Deonta Carney, 23, guilty of gang participation
- Zakier Smith, 24, guilty of assault 2nd degree, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and gang participation
- Lloyd Smith, 23, guilty of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, concealed carry of a deadly weapon, and conspiracy 2nd degree
- Dahmere White, 26, guilty of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and gang participation
- Marcell Dixon, 29, guilty of concealed carry of a deadly weapon, gang participation, and violation of probation
- Jakeem Bush, 21, guilty of gang participation
- Antonio Wright, 32, guilty of providing a firearm to a person prohibited, and gang participation.
- Nathaniel Murray, 22, guilty of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, concealed carry of a deadly weapon, and gang participation.
- Jahmier Robinson-Handy, 21, guilty of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and concealed carry of a deadly weapon.
- Clarence Jarman, 22, guilty of gang participation.
- Zyamese Mobley, 24, guilty of gang participation.
- Darielle Oliver, 22, no contest to hindering prosecution
- Two minors each guilty of gang participation.
Since 2020, gun violence in Delaware has been reduced by 30% statewide, including a 50% decline in summer shootings and a 60% reduction in Wilmington homicides, according to the DOJ.
The convictions against these defendants were secured by Deputy Attorneys General Jamie McCloskey, Erika Flaschne, and AJ Hill following an extensive investigation led by Det. Devon Jones of the Wilmington Police Department.
Delaware State Police led the investigation into the murder of Shiheem Durham in Dover.
The DOJâS efforts were made possible by Criminal Intelligence Analyst Dan Masi, Paralegals Julia Bacon and Sarah Molaski, and Social Worker Crystal Pitts.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
Share this Post