Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein announced Monday the indictment of 28 members of the TTP Bloods street gang on racketeering, drug and gun charges.
How powerful is this gang?
We think the Bloods and the
Crips are responsible for a lot of violence here in
Maryland.
This group, the TTP Bloods, is one set that modeled itself on the TTP Bloods nationally.
It had connections with gang leaders in California.
It engaged in a pattern of criminal activity over time.
The gang operated while its leaders were in prison.
Leaders corresponded with gang members who were on the streets.
Indictments include men from Hagerstown and Salisbury as well as suspects from Baltimore City and Baltimore County. How widespread is the gang?
They?re mainly concentrated in Baltimore. They were engaged in paying dues or tribute to the national organization.
One of those indicted is Ronnie “Skinny Suge” Thomas, who is known from the “Stop Snitching” DVDs. How was he involved?
He?s actually featured in the “Stop Snitching” videos. The indictment alleges he discussed retaliating against a store owner who wouldn?t sell the “Stop Snitching 2” DVD.
Some named in this indictment have been in state criminal courts. Are you aiding state prosecutors with this indictment?
There are five murders contained in the indictment.
In several cases, there were state prosecutions, but there were allegations, at least in one case, the defendants obstructed the state cases.
Do you believe Maryland is a safer place today because of these arrests?
The citizens of Maryland are a little bit safer today because of this law enforcement action.
… This is part of a larger campaign against gang violence.
It?s modeled off the MS-13 indictment.
We have ATF and the FBI working on investigations with the idea of building cases like this one
