Authorities are taking a stand against gangs in Charlotte! On Tuesday, twenty members of the 'Hidden Valley Kings' gang were indicted in Federal Court on drug and gun charges.Early this morning, local and state authorities executed several federal arrest warrants for the charges brought by the federal grand jury. Twelve gang members were arrested, three members were already in custody and five other gang members are wanted fugitives.
According to the federal indictment, the 'Hidden Valley Kings' gang formed in the 1990's. The gang derived its name from the Hidden Valley neighborhood in Charlotte, NC. At one time, most of the gang members resided in the Hidden Valley neighborhood, however, the members have spread out over time.
The structure of the gang is hierarchical, with top leaders known as "Original Kings." The next level are called "Original Gangsters" and the lower level gang members are known as "Baby Gangsters."
The 'Hidden Valley Kings' are known to be involved in various crimes; including, assaults, shootings, car thefts, break-ins and even murder. The indictment states the gang members derived income from the sale of narcotics and attempted to control all the drug dealing in the Hidden Valley neighborhood and the surrounding areas.
The Hidden Valley Kings leadership has been known at times to divide certain territory into drug dealing zones and has required narcotics dealers to pay a “block tax” in order to sell drugs on the Hidden Valley Kings’ turf.
United States Attorney Gretchen Shappert warned, “We have drawn a line in the sand and sent a message with this indictment that gang activity will not be tolerated in our city. If you are a member of a street gang and commit criminal acts, the federal government will be looking for you.”
The gang members in custody are: Emmanuel Keller, 23; Jermer Lowery, 26; Lorenzo Johnson, 24; Kenneth Martin, 27; Ronald Martin, 22; Demario Bridges, 20; Tony Stephens, 20; Matrai Davis, 25; Marcus Coleman, 24; Clifton Vandiver, 24; Ricardo Stitt, 33; Calvin Simonds, 25; Alonzo Johnson, 22; Danielle Jackson, 24; and Brian Jordan, 30.
Police are still looking for five men: Roscoe Abell, 28; Chavius Marquette Barber, 23; Kevin Lee Johnson, 23; Steven Jermonte Cureton, 26; and Charlie Renzell Strother, 25. If you have any information on their whereabouts, please call CrimeStoppers at 704-334-1600.
