FLORIDA — More than a dozen people have been sentenced for drug trafficking and firearm charges following a federal investigation that targeted the 4K street gang, reportedly based in Alachua.
Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencings last week.
“Our law enforcement partners’ concerted investigation and prosecution of violent crime – here acts of murder and retaliatory gun violence by rival gang members – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said Mr Coody.
“The sentences imposed in this investigation, some spanning multiple decades, illustrate our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with gun violence by gang-affiliated drug traffickers.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force began an investigation of the 4K gang following several gang-related shootings in the City of Alachua in 2018. The FBI worked with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Alachua Police Department to investigate the initial shooting and numerous other shootings thereafter.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) aided in the investigation of 4K’s alleged drug-trafficking activity. Between February 22, 2020, and May 20, 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), FBI, and DEA obtained six court-authorized Title III wiretaps on cellphones used by members of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy.
On May 20, 2020, federal search warrants were executed, and four individuals were federally arrested, with others being indicted in June and August 2020.
According to the USAO, the federally sentenced defendants, which included 4K gang members and associates, as well as people selling drugs to the 4K gang, were:
Roddrae Antonio Williams, 32, of Alachua, 480 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Elboric Quadarius Robinson, 32, of Alachua, 336 months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release.
Decoda Kadarrell King, 36, of Williston, 168 months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release.
Eric Jermaine Williams, 42, of Gainesville, 104 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Daniel Heath Willis, 30, of Alachua, 96 months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release.
Morris Cordell Robinson, Jr., 58, of Alachua, 78 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Gregory Lavough Williams, Jr., 44, of Yorba Linda, California, 48 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.
Rakeidra Alexandria Neal, 33, of Gainesville, 14.5 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Rayme Herhandez, 47, of Morriston, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release.
Tomeka Necole Bryant, 44, of Gainesville, 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
Edward Lashawn Garrison, Jr., 27, of Fort White, 10 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Lorenza Durr, 33, of Alachua, 8 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
“The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the grave threats posed by drug trafficking and firearm violations,” said Sheriff Emory Gainey.
Alachua Police Chief Jesse J. Sandusky added that the cooperation among law enforcement agencies led to the arrests.
“The cooperation between these agencies resulted in the successful prosecution of these 12 individuals who terrorized our local communities,” said Mr Sandusky.
“We are thankful for the assistance we received from our partners and hope that this can help bring closure to the victim’s families.”
According to the USAO, charges by the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office were brought against the following:
Hakiem Brockman, 25, of West Palm Beach, pleaded nolo contendere to second-degree murder with discharge of a firearm causing death, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and four counts of attempted murder in the first-degree with discharge of a firearm. Brockman was sentenced to 35 years in prison, 25 of which will be served day-for-day.
McKenzley Edwards, 30, of Alachua, pleaded nolo contendere to six counts of attempted second-degree murder with the discharge of a firearm and actual possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with a witness, victim, or informant. One count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder (premeditated) and attempted murder. Edwards was sentenced to 25 years in prison, 20 of which will be served day-for-day.
Kenzel Edwards, 28, of Alachua, pleaded nolo contendere to three counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, 10 of which will be served day-for-day.
Jeffery Robinson, Jr., 29, of Alachua, pleaded nolo contendere to accessory after the fact to the murder and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
Roddrae Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder (premeditated) and is pending sentencing.
“Each of these violent felony offenders posed a significant risk to the safety of our community. Thanks to the professional, expert work of this task force and our prosecutors, this community will be protected from further violence by these offenders,” said Brian Kramer, State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
These convictions were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua Police Department, the Gainesville Police Department, the University of Florida Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocala Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain handled the federal cases, and Assistant State Attorney Daniel Owen handled the state cases.
