A federal jury in Cleveland has convicted three members of the Fully Blooded Felons gang for crimes including murder and racketeering. The verdict follows a three-week trial that detailed a pattern of violent activity orchestrated by the criminal organization.
The 19 shots fired on Cleveland's West Side
The execution of a female victim on Cleveland's West Side serves as a centerpiece of the prosecution's case. According to the report, the victim was kidnapped and held captive in an apartment where Raven Mullins allegedly ordered Malik Brooks and Jayon Florence to physically assault her. The gang reportedly reviewed her phone messages and contacts to ensure she was not sharing information with rival gang members.
Following the period of capitvity, the group drove her to the West Side, where she was shot 19 times and left in a stolen Kia Optima. The gang's violence was not limited to a single incident; they also targeted a 22-year-old woman who provided a statement to police. As reported by the Department of Justice, this woman was kidnapped and assaulted for nearly a week in mid-2022 after she spoke to authorities regarding a robbery involving a gang member.
25 convictions in the fight against Cleveland's most significant gang threat
Law enforrcement efforts have successfully dismantled a significant portion of the Fully Blooded Felons' operations in northern Ohio. FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo identified the group as the city's most significant gang threat. The investigation, which involved the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force and local partners, has resulted in 25 gang members being charged or convicted of federal crimes.
The investigation's success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of FBI Cleveland and local law enforcement partners. By targeting the gang's infrastructure, including stash houses and drug supplies, authorities aimed to end the "reign of terror" that the Fully Blooded Felons had established across northern Ohio. U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer noted that these verdicts send a clear message to those who terrorize local communities.
300 grams of narcotics and seven firearms seized from stash houses
The crackdown on the Fully Blooded Felons involved the discovery of multiple stash houses used for criminal activity. During the execution of search warrants at a local apartment complex, authorities recovered more than 300 grams of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine,alongside seven firearms. This evidence supported the broader RICO conspiracy charges brought against the defendants, which include drug trafficking and various gun crimes.
The presence of such high volumes of narcotics highlights the gang's role in the regional drug trade. The seizure of these weapons and substances provided the physical link between the gang's leadership and the violent street-level crimes detailed during the trial.
The unknown timeline for sentencing and the gang's remaining reach
While the jury has delivered its verdict, several details regarding the legal aftermath remain unverified.. A speific sentencing date for Raven Mullins, Malik Brooks, and Jayon Florence has not yet been scheduled by the court , leaving the potential for life sentences in a state of limbo. Additionally, it remains unclear if the 25 convictions represent the full extent of the gang's membership or if more membbers are currently being investigated by the FBI and local law enforcement.
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