Already shot once, federal witness John Dowery made a tragic decision last year: He came home for Thanksgiving. Once back in Baltimore, the drug gang he was set to testify against gunned him down in a local bar, federal prosecutors said.
On Tuesday, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Melvin Gilbert, 33, and Darron “Moo Man” Goods, 21, with shooting and killing Dowery.
“John Dowery was a man who was not an angel,” said Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein. “He died an extremely courageous man. He had been on both sides of the law, but he decided to be on the right side of the law. He was shot, but that didn?t stop him. He continued cooperating.”
Gilbert — along with James “Miami” Dinkins, 35; Tracy “Boo Boo” Love, 23; Tamall “Mo-Mo” Parker, 21; and Randy “Blade” McLean, 31; and Cornell Booker, 24 — already face federal charges of participating in the drug gang known as “Special” and murdering three victims.
The latest indictment, which includes Dowery?s murder, brings the gang?s death toll to five, prosecutors said.
“John Dowery was not deterred,” said Baltimore City State?s Attorney Patricia Jessamy. “We cannot forget his historic steps to the witness stand.”
From June 2002 to February 2007, Gilbert operated a drug distribution organization that sold heroin, cocaine and marijuana on the streets of Baltimore and committed acts of violence to retaliate against potential witnesses, prosecutors said.
“These are really bad guys that are facing … real prison sentences,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld.
Gilbert directed Dinkins to shoot and kill Shannon Jemmison, whom he suspected of cooperating in the federal investigation and prosecution of the “Rice Organization,” one of Baltimore?s largest drug gangs, according to the indictment.
Jemmison was shot and killed on Sept. 10, 2005. The indictment also alleges Dinkins shot Dowery on Oct. 19, 2005, but Dowery survived.
Federal authorities placed their witness out of state after the shooting.
“John Dowery chose to come back to Baltimore,” Rosenstein said. “That?s his right. He has the right to come back to Baltimore and not be shot.”
Booker pleaded guilty to distributing heroin and was sentenced Monday to five years and six months in prison.
All of the other suspects face a sentence of a least life in prison. Some could face the death penalty if the U.S. Attorney General decides to bring that charge.
