Highs gang member sentenced to nineteen and a half years in prison for RICO conspiracy

Date: April 10, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS - Montez Brown, aka "Tez Blood," was sentenced to 235 months in prison for his criminal conduct, including attempted murder, narcotics trafficking, and possession of a machine gun, as a member of the Minneapolis Highs gang, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

"We are addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity," said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. "Minneapolis gangs have caused a staggering amount of damage to the community through retaliatory shootings, narcotics trafficking, and other illicit activity. Individuals who choose to fuel violence and destruction on behalf of a criminal enterprise such as this will be held accountable under federal law."

According to court documents, Brown was a well-respected member and high-level fentanyl trafficker for the Highs gang, a criminal enterprise engaged in a years-long pattern of racketeering activity, including murder, robbery, and trafficking and distribution of controlled substances. Operating on the north side of Minneapolis since 2004, the Highs congregate at businesses and residences located at or near the West Broadway Avenue and Lyndale Avenue North intersection. The Highs have a stranglehold on this area and members do not hesitate to flaunt their illegal activities openly.

Prospective Highs members prove their loyalty to the gang by "putting in work," i.e., committing acts of violence for the benefit of the gang or offering other benefits such as introducing a source for drugs or firearms. Members of the Highs are expected to "hunt" rival gang members: an express directive to locate and kill rivals. Highs members frequently take to social media to taunt rivals, glorify gang life, and post images of themselves with cash, drugs, and firearms.

To date, thirteen members and associates of the Highs have pleaded guilty and five have been sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

• Montez Brown, aka "Tez Blood," of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on November 6, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He was sentenced on April 10, 2024, to 235 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
• Chase Robertson, aka "Chase Loco," of St. Paul, pleaded guilty on September 11, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. He was sentenced on February 22, 2024, to 75 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
• Douglas Mobley, aka "Nut," of St. Paul, pleaded guilty on October 11, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
• Christopher Finch, aka "Twin," of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on December 12, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
• Tony Jelks, aka "BD," of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on November 1, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. He was sentenced on April 10, 2024, to 156 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
• Randy Tate, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on December 4, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. He was sentenced on April 4, 2024, to 115 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
• Isaac Hodge, aka "Ike," of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on November 2, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
• Trevoneia Felton, aka "Tre," of St. Paul, pleaded guilty on November 9, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. He was sentenced on April 3, 2024, to 82 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
• Malcolm Samuels, aka "Reggie," of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on December 18, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
• Ronald Washington, aka Black, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on November 21, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
• Dashaun Morris, aka "Mush," of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on November 14, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
• Maron Bailey, aka "Boonie," of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty on October 5, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
• Isaiah Bell, of St. Paul, pleaded guilty on December 7, 2023, to one count of RICO conspiracy. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

These cases are the result of an investigation conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI), ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, DEA, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, Dakota County Sheriff's Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley, Jordan L. Sing, and Albania Concepcion for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the cases.

CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. CI special agents are the only federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code, obtaining a more than a 90 percent federal conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S. and 12 attaché posts abroad.

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