Feds Bust 'Hidden Valley Kings' Gang

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.

Read Case Docs: Federal Indictment- Press Release - Wanted Gang Members

Parent Arrested for Boarding School Bus

Otis Melvin Shirley, 28, was arrested yesterday after he boarded a CMS school bus headed for Sedgefield Elementary School and caused trouble.

Otis boarded the bus and made threatening comments to the bus driver and the students on the ride to school. When the bus arrived at the school, Otis got off the bus and threatened a school employee, who called police.

Otis was arrested and charged with trespassing on a school bus and disorderly conduct. It is unlawful to ride a school bus unless acting as a chaperone. I would like to know why the bus driver allowed this man on the bus in the first place!

Two CMPD 'Top 10 Wanted' Arrested

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested a man who was on the CMPD '10 Most Wanted' List yesterday. Richard Michael Leu, 27, (R) was wanted by police for shooting someone in the leg with an assault rifle in 2005.

Leu was released from jail on bond and failed to show up for court to face his charges; Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, Assault by Pointing a Gun and Communicating Threats.

Leu is the second 'wanted' criminal captured this week. Preston Ramone Caldwell,19, was arrested on Monday. He was wanted by CMPD for robbing and shooting at a couple in July 2006.

Caldwell is facing charges of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon-Business and (2) Counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill.

Man Caught after Exposing Himself at Hotel

Two weeks ago, a man was caught on tape exposing himself outside the Holiday Inn Express on Carowinds Boulevard. He dropped his pants on purpose, so police were concerned and released the surveillance video for public assistance in identifying him.

With the help of the public, police identified the flasher as 41-year old Kevin Perrin from Indian Trail, NC. It turns out Perrin is a serial flasher! In 1998 & 1999, Perrin was charged with public indecency in Indiana. In 2001, Perrin pled guilty to indecent exposure charges in Michigan and he received probation.

The disturbing part of this story is that Perrin's wife runs an after-school daycare program in their Union County home. Police say Perrin's wife cares for eight to ten children on weekday afternoons but Kevin Perrin isn't at home when the children are there. I sure hope that is true!

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : CHAVEZ-VAZQUEZ, JUAN C

* C/S-SCH II- CONSPIRE TO TRAFFIC COCAINE
* C/S-SCH II- TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE









Name : CALDWELL, PRESTON
- Wanted by CMPD-

* ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON--INTENT TO KILL - GUN
* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* PROBATION VIOLATION

Name : MARTINEZ-LOREDO, MARIO

* C/S-SCH II- P/W/I/S/D COCAINE
* KIDNAPPING - FIRST DEGREE
* ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPON/INTENT KILL/SERIOUS INJ

Name : HOLDER, BERTRAM SIDNEY
Alias: HOLDER, SIDNEY BERTRAM

* 3 X's: C/S-SCH II- TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE

Name : DYSON, JESSICA ANNE

* ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON--SERIOUS INJURY

Uptown Cameras Help Police Catch Criminals

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department camera system is comprised of 18 cameras in the Uptown area. The cameras scan parking lots and sidewalks targeting street crime and theft from autos. The cameras are also used to alert patrol officers to aggressive panhandlers in the area. The cameras allow both Officers in patrol vehicles and bicycles to more easily address quality of life issues such as those crimes listed above. The cameras have been in use since late 2000 and have directly led to over 125 arrests since their use began.

Central Division Officers staffing the CMPD camera system observed two suspects, Robert Thorne and Tairmi Thorne, attempting to break into a vehicle in an Uptown parking lot. The suspects are brothers. Officers monitoring the incident called for patrol units and bike officers to respond to the scene where both suspects were placed under arrest for Attempted Larceny from Auto.

In the second incident, Officers observed three suspects riding bicycles through parking lots in the Uptown area. They were looking into cars parked in several surface lots. Officers observed one of the suspects smash the window out of the victims' car and get inside, while the other two suspects acted as lookouts. Central Officers moved in and arrested all three suspects on scene. The suspect who had entered the victims' car had already damaged the ignition in his attempt to steal the car.

Anthony Bost and Richard McIlwain were charged with B&E Auto, Attempted Larceny of Auto. A third suspect’s information is being withheld due to the fact that he is a juvenile.

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : PICKETT, CARLTON


* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL








Name : PALMA, ALVARO ANTONIO


* C/S-SCH II- TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE
* C/S-SCH II- CONSPIRE TO TRAFFIC COCAINE








Name : MCCRACKEN, JASON MARK

* OBTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE BY FRAUD OR FORGERY (F)
* ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE BY FRAUD/FORGERY

Name : JOHNSON, CARRIE MARIE

* PROSTITUTION - LOITERING FOR THE PURPOSE OF

Name : FERGUSON, REYFALL
- Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL

* POSSESSION OF FIREARM BY FELON

Name : CRECENCIO, ANDRID

* 8 X's: LARCENY OF MOTOR VEHICLE (FELONY)

Name : CONEJO, JAIME

* C/S-SCH II- TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE
* C/S-SCH II- CONSPIRE TO TRAFFIC COCAINE

Federal Agents Bust Drug Operation

Last Thursday, Federal Agents busted a drug operation that operated out of a small office park on Crompton Street in Southwest Charlotte.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Federal Court, agents saw two men exchange 50 pounds of marijuana in the parking lot and one of the men had a .45 caliber glock in his car. Agents obtained a search warrant to enter the business and when they went inside, they found 2,060 pounds of marijuana and two men.

According to the complaint, four men were arrested for trafficking marijuana and conspiracy. I am only able to locate three of the men in the arrest records; Jay Carlos Sanchez-Solorzano, Patrick Schwenke and Roberto Carlos Alba-Arellano. The fourth man, Sharu Bey, faces one additional charge- possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug felony. Photo: WSOC

Weekend Crime Summary

Click on the following dates to see the crimes that were reported over the weekend in Charlotte, NC. (All information comes from the Crime Blotter)

► Friday, March 23rd
► Saturday, March 24th
► Sunday, March 25th

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : HARRISON, JAMES

* LARCENY BY EMPLOYEE - $100,000 OR MORE

Name : RUIZ, JAVIER ALEXANDER
- Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON

Name : WITHROW, STONEY RAY

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL (FELONY)
* BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE








Name : FRANCO, EVONNE
Alias: MCDADE, CHARMANE D
- Repeat Offender-
* PROSTITUTION - LOITERING FOR THE PURPOSE OF
* DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - POSSESSION OF

Man Shot & Killed at Mi Cabana

Celso Julian Pozadas-Huerta, 22, was shot and killed overnight. The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Mi Cabana Bar & Billiards, located at 200 Eastway Drive. This is Charlotte's 15th homicide in 2007.

Police have not released any additional details at this time. If you have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers @ 704-334-1600.

Federal Case Update: Alan Whitesides

Alan Jeffery Whitesides, 31, is a convicted child predator. According to DOC records, Alan Whitesides was convicted of taking indecent liberties with a child in March 1998, September 1998 and January of 1999. He had two other charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor in 1999, but the charges were dismissed.

The state dropped one charge and sentenced Whitesides to one year in state prison for each of the remaining indecent liberties charges. However, the sentences ran concurrently, so he only served a year in jail. Whitesides was added to the NC Sex Offender Registry when he was released from jail.

In August of 2005, Whitesides was in trouble again when he was indicted by the federal court for distribution and possession of child pornography. The indictment states the incidents occurred in June and December 2004.

Alan Whitesides pled guilty to the distribution of child pornography charges. On February 13, 2007, Whitesides was sentenced to 15 years in jail. Whitesides was living in the Mecklenburg County jail since he was indicted in 2005 until he was transported to Federal Prison on March 19th. View Court Docs: Indictment/Sentencing

America's Most Wanted: Tavarus Simpson

The wanted criminal Tavarus Maurice Simpson will appear on the show 'America's Most Wanted' tonight. Simpson is wanted by CMPD for committing a heinous crime against a family in Charlotte on December 5, 2006.

Police say Simpson broke into a home with a man, woman and their 17-year old daughter inside. The man spotted Simpson and struggled with him until Tavarus Simpson beat him unconscious with a gun.

Simpson found the women in the house and led them to the master bedroom at gunpoint. Simpson raped the 17-year old girl in front of her mother, robbed the family and ran out the door.

Investigators believe that Simpson could still be in North Carolina, but also think he may have fled to York County, S.C. Although he is known to wear his hair in braids, he might have shaved his head. Police also report that he has access to a white Tahoe SUV and a green Cadillac Deville, but could be in any vehicle.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Tavarus Simpson, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Two Women Arrested for Forging Prescriptions

Kammi Jo Carter, 26 (top photo) and Candace Rogers York, 37, (bottom photo) were arrested today for forging prescriptions to obtain the powerful narcotic painkiller oxycodone. (Trade names include: OxyContin®, Anexsia®, Hycodan®, Hycomine®, Lorcet®, Lortab®, Tussionex®, Vicodin®, & Vicoprofen®)

The two women worked at the Southeast Pain Care clinic, a treatment center for people with chronic pain. Police say the two women used the doctor's prescription pads to illegally prescribe the controlled substance and use the pills for personal use.

Oxycodone is a highly addictive prescription medication that is used medically to treat pain. Oxycodone abuse has been a continuing problem in the US since the early 1960's. Oxycodone, similar to other opioids, is abused for its euphoric effects.

Both women were charged with two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery. They were released on a $2,000 bond.

Murder Arrest Made for March 10th Shooting

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have charged Kevin Andrew Powell, 27, (R) for the murder of Jamar Flowers that occurred on March 10th.

Jamar Flowers was found shot to death inside an apartment at the Grand Oaks Apartments on Wisteria Drive.

Police are not releasing any additional information about the case at this time.

Men Robbed in Busy Parking Lot

Yesterday evening, around 6pm, two men armed with a .380 pistol robbed two people in the busy Office Depot parking near JW Clay Blvd & Harris Blvd.

The victims did not give up their money and the armed robbers fired three shots at them. One bullet grazed a victims' leg, another bullet hit a nearby car, knocking off the emblem. Thankfully, the injuries the victim received are minor and none of the bystanders were hurt in the shooting.

Jonathan Jones was at the scene to provide the shown and linked photos. Jones spoke with people on the scene who said the suspects are two black males who approached the victims on foot. After the robbery, the two men fled to a waiting car behind the building, driven my a black female. The getaway vehicle was a silver (or light colored) SUV, possibly a Toyota Rav 4 or Suzuki sidekick.

Police were on the scene in record time and locked down the parking lot. Police searched the area and the CMPD helicopter was called in to search the area for the suspects, but police were unable to apprehend them. If you have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : GUILLEN, DAVID
- Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON








Name : CANIPE, KATHY JOYCE
- Repeat Offender-

* PROSTITUTION - SOLICITING FOR
* DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - POSSESSION OF








Name : AVALOS-NAVARRO, VICTOR
- Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON







Name : AGUILAR, ANTONIO
- Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON

Police Looking for Laptop Thief

Police are looking for a man who has entered several Charlotte businesses to steal every laptop in sight.

Police say the businesses are open when the suspect swipes the laptops. The man shown in the photos (click on photos to enlarge) is wanted by police for questioning.

If you have any information on who this subject is, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Couple Robbed and Raped Helping Others

Shortly after 11:00 last night, a couple was driving in an apartment complex on Perth Court and saw four hispanic men around a car with the hood raised. The men signaled for the couple to stop and help them.

The men approached the couple and instead of asking for help, they put guns to their heads and took them to the back of the apartment building. The men gang raped the woman, robbed the couple and drove off in the victims blue Ford Expedition.

Police recovered the victim's blue Expedition from the 9500 block of Newell Hickory Grove Road. CMPD Crime scene technicians are processing the vehicle as part of the ongoing investigation. Police have not made any arrests.

Anyone with information that could help authorities should call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.

Man Dies in Police Custody

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are conducting an investigation into the death of Antoine Lamont Wade aka Antoine Jones. Wade died after he was taken into custody by police officers without incident.

According to a CMPD Press Release, preliminary findings indicate the suspect suffered a medical emergency while still at the scene. Officers called for MEDIC who transported the suspect to Carolinas Medical Center.

Wade was pronounced deceased at approximately 5:45 AM this morning. The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine cause of death. - View CMPD Press Release for details -

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : LANCASTER, KELVIN Q
- Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON-BUSINESS/OTHER PLACE








Name : GAUSE, WALTER TIMOTHY
- Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON-BUSINESS/OTHER PLACE
* ASSAULT WITH DEADLY WEAPON-SERIOUS INJURY - GUN
* CONSPIRACY-ARMED ROBBERY BUSINESS/PERSON






Name : WADE, TONYA MARIE


* EMBEZZLEMENT









Name : ERVIN, TAMARA YVETTE
- Repeat Offender-

* 4X's: FELONY LARCENY - MORE THAN $1,000









Name : PATTON, RICHARD
Details: Patton was arrested after police obtained information he embezzled $2,180 from Pet Essentials, Inc. He was working in a sales position at the time of the theft.
* EMBEZZLEMENT








Name : BELTON, RICK GREGORY
-Repeat Offender-
* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* CONSPIRACY-ARMED ROBBERY BUSINESS/PERSON
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON

Illegal Drug Operation Busted by ALE

On Tuesday night, Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agents arrested three people for running an illegal drug growing operation out of a house on Firwood Lane. Michael Medina, Meredith Sasser and Erick Rickman were arrested.

ALE agents obtained a search warrant after receiving an anonymous tip about the drug activity going on in the Firwood Lane home. Source: WSOC-TV

Recent Arrests in Charlotte, NC

Name : ROBERTS, CEMAL

* INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD
* STAT RAPE/SEX OFFN DEF >=6YR

Name : DRISCOLL, JUSTIN MICHAEL
- View article about arrest-
* SELL FALSE DRIVER'S LICENSE/PERMIT
* POSSESS &/OR MANUFACTURE FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION
* ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE-AID\ABET PURCHASE-BOTH UNDER 21
* POSS/PUR/MXBV/F-WN/LQ NOT 19/20

Name : SELLERS, ANDRE

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON









Name : GILLIAM, LATAVIOUS
- Repeat Offender-
Details: Gilliam robbed a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint.

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON--INDIVIDUAL
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON







Name : FORD, ALLEN DOUGLAS
-Repeat Offender-

* ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON-BUSINESS/OTHER PLACE
* CONSP ROBBERY DANGEROUS WEAPON