During the investigation, the FBI temporarily used a member of the MCs to serve as a cooperating witness. Which would make his base offense level 32. Indeed, the plea agreements were more than sufficiently corroborated at Hankton's sentencing hearing by the credible testimony of the live witnesses, i.e., Agent Darin and Detective Charles. Knox and gang investigators said lists like the one belonging to the Mickey Cobras are not uncommon among street gangs. Although there was some ambiguity in Olden's testimony as to his interpretation of the terminology used by the MCs to refer to crack cocaine, he eventually testified that he purchased a hard form of cocaine from Hankton. The National Law Review - National Law Forum LLC 3 Grant Square #141 Hinsdale, IL 60521 Telephone (708) 357-3317 or toll free (877) 357-3317. After their leader, Mickey Cogwell, was gunned down in front of his South Side home in 1977, the gang adopted the name Mickey Cobras in honor of him. They are members of the People Nation in Illinois prisons. Agent Darin, a member of the FBI's joint gang task force and a trained drug traffic investigation agent, testified concerning Hankton's coordination of the drug trade for the MCs as well as his role as King or leader of the gang throughout the city in 2000 and 2001. 13. The District Court's Determination of Hankton's Drug Quantity. The area around the buildings, at 5326 S. State St., 5322 S. State St. and 5323 S. Federal St., is known as "The Hole. "The dope and the money-making is more important than the brotherhood," said Cmdr. Clarence Hankton, identified by authorities as the gang's second-ranking leader, was charged as the lead defendant with 18 others in the narcotics conspiracy case and also indicted on murder conspiracy charges for the slaying of 24-year-old Annette Williams in 1994. 2 Based on his understanding of the inner-workings of the MCs, Charles stated that on April 12, 2004, Williams had been issued a severe beating or violation as the MCs called it, for allegedly stealing approximately $3,000 from the gang. Nevertheless, as we have stated, the rules of evidence do not apply at sentencing, see Hardamon, 188 F.3d at 849, and the judge was entitled to consider any relevant evidence assuming that evidence included a sufficient indicia of reliability. See Robinson, 164 F.3d at 1070. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial judge concluded that based on the plea agreements and testimony given at sentencing, Hankton could have reasonably foreseen that the amount of [crack cocaine] he was dealing was well in excess of 500 grams, and could reach even beyond 1.5 kilograms. Indeed, the District Judge determined that the recorded [Title III] calls alone take the amount well beyond the 500-gram minimum.20 Moreover, citing the live testimony and the physical evidence confiscated from Hankton's residence (such as correspondence identifying Hankton as King), the court found that [Hankton] [was] one of several organizers and one of several leaders within [the] structured criminal organization and that he exercised control and power over other members of the gang and felt a four level leadership enhancement to Hankton's sentence was warranted pursuant to U.S.S.G. Even a conservative estimate of the amount of cocaine Hankton supplied Olden with amounts to approximately 4.6875 ounces or 134 grams of crack cocaine (which is equal to Hankton supplying Olden with 1/8 oz. The government also introduced the signed plea agreements of other members of the MCs in which they admitted that they had purchased crack cocaine from Hankton. Find something similiar nearby. 2D1.1(a)(4).23 In addition, the government maintained that Davis' offense level should also be increased by 3 levels because he qualified under the Guidelines as a manager or supervisor of a criminal activity involving more than five participants. We simply cannot be sure. Subtracting 3 points for Hankton's acceptance of responsibility, see U.S.S.G. Among the co-defendants were Woodrow Green, Jammah Olden, Rasuah Brunner, Ngaya Brunner, Timeka Murdock and Mekeba Gates, many of whom were also members of the MCs and all of whom also entered into plea agreements with the government. 2. The gang has existed since the late 1960s, boasts an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 members in Chicago and is described by authorities as violent, well-organized and actively involved in selling powder and crack cocaine on the West and North Sides. . The rationale for this is clear: The sentencing stage of a trial is one of the most important parts of the criminal process. In Gangs and Organized Crime, George W. Knox, Gregg W. Etter, and Carter F. Smith offer an informed and carefully investigated examination of gangs and organized crime groups, covering street gangs, prison gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and organized crime groups from every continent. Notes [ edit] See United States v. Paladino, 401 F.3d 471, 481 (7th Cir.2005). We uphold the validity of both Hankton and Davis' sentence, but remand to the district court for further consideration as mandated by this court's decision in United States v. Paladino, 401 F.3d 471 (7th Cir.2005). Olden also explained that in 1997, Hankton held the position of Don of Dons of the Cabrini Green projects on the north side of the city of Chicago, a position granting Hankton authority over other gang members. The Mickey Cobras now have their own unique written constitution and by-laws, which show a strong Islamic influence, just like those of the modern-day BPSN. The court also considered the testimony of Detective Charles and the statements made by Witnesses A and B in determining that Hankton was indeed a leader of the criminal enterprise. The rules, chock-full of mispellings and street slang, aren't contained in a tidy corporate packet or posted on a store bulletin board. See United States v. Schmeilski, 408 F.3d 917, 920 (7th Cir.2005). This is not to mention the fact that Davis was provided with ample opportunity to rebut the hearsay evidence proffered against him in the form of the co-defendant plea agreements, either by calling his own exculpatory witnesses or through his cross examination of Agent Darin. 3B1.1 n. 1 (In distinguishing a leadership role from one of mere management or supervision, titles such as kingpin or boss are not controlling.). "He's got the props. 2D1.1(a)(3), Hankton's base offense level was 34 due to the aggregate amount of drugs involved in the offenses he admitted to, i.e., more than 150 grams of crack. Cuisine: American Neighborhood: Los Feliz Website: www.shuttersonthebeach.com Also, as the factfinder at sentencing, the judge was free to draw whatever conclusions he might about the testimony given and evidence introduced in order to determine an appropriate sentence. They were originally known as the Cobrastones, and were formed in the Robert Taylor Homes in the early 1960s. 4. "It's all geared for better business," Guthrie said. In other words, we may correct such an error only if it is intolerable, or results in a miscarriage of justice. See Paladino, 401 F.3d at 481. Primarily, the group known as Mickey Cobras controlled the sale of narcotics and the life of most residents up until the 2000s. Meaning that, without anything more, evidence of drug transactions referenced in the telephone recordings that Agent Darin testified concerning was sufficient to attribute over 500 grams of crack cocaine to Hankton under the sentencing guidelines. We disagree. The government concluded that, because Hankton had admitted to distributing 156 grams of cocaine and because the plea agreements attributed at least an additional 344 grams of crack to him, it was reasonable to conclude from the evidence presented at sentencing that he had distributed in excess of 500 grams of cocaine for the purposes of U.S.S.G 2D1.1. Many of the 46 regulations read like a manual for fast-food employees or convenience-store clerks. If you would ike to contact us via email please click . See United States v. Smith, 3 F.3d 1088, 1099. Davis pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and admitted that on June 27, 2000, he obtained approximately 250 grams of powder cocaine from Hankton, with the intention of distributing it to others.22 Nonetheless, the government argued at sentencing that Davis was responsible for the possession of more than just the 250 grams of powder cocaine that he admitted to in the plea agreement. Davis disagreed with each of the proposed enhancements, in the plea agreement, reserved his right to argue his position at sentencing. In a nine count superseding indictment issued on May 15, 2002, the grand jury charged both Hankton and Davis with participating in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine and in excess of 50 grams of [crack cocaine] (Count I) and using communication devices in committing the conspiracy (Count VII) in violation of 21 U.S.C. Brandon said the Mickey Cobras' rules "is just some attempt by the hierarchy to keep some sort of order. 841(a)(1) (Counts II, III, IV, and V) and Davis was charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute approximately 250 grams of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. Instead, Davis claims only that the introduction of the co-defendants' plea agreements constituted clear error due to the fact that the agreements were inadmissible hearsay. Both men also contend that the district court erroneously enhanced their sentences based on insufficient and unreliable evidence. . They don't want the heat. Indeed, the evidence obtained by investigators made clear that Hankton had, over a period of years, progressed through the hierarchy of the MCs and attained the position of King of Kings, or leader of the MCs on the entire north side of Chicago. Thus, [s]o long as the information which the sentencing judge considers has sufficient indicia of reliability to support its probable accuracy, the information may properly be taken into account in passing sentence. United States v. Robinson, 164 F.3d 1068, 1070 (7th Cir.1999) (quoting United States v. Taylor, 72 F.3d 533, 543 (7th Cir.1995)). Imo..I think Maniac Cobras don't mess with other Mickey Cobra sets near them and I guess they don't go under the 5 (.. or they don't have structure and plus they only have love for their OWN set than any other sets.. like 051 for example. 30. on Febuary 25, 1977 Mickey Cogwell was killed, The Gunmen were never found. Matt Brandon of the CHA tactical unit. As this court has stated numerous times [t]he law is very clear that a sentencing judge may appropriately conduct an inquiry broad in scope, largely unlimited either as to the kind of information he may consider, or the source from which it may come. A corollary to this general principle is the rule that a sentencing judge may consider relevant information without regard to the rules of evidence provided that the information has [a] sufficient indicia of reliability to support its probable accuracy. United States v. Lemmons, 230 F.3d 263, 267 (7th Cir.2000) (quoting U.S.S.G. He's got the Mercedes, and he's got a BMW too. As the King, Hankton was responsible for everything from the direction of the conversion of powder cocaine into crack to the organization of the gang's basketball games. Although not dispositive as to his role as a leader in the organization, Hankton is referred to in the record first as don (during the late 1990s) and then as king (beginning in 1999). 7-8, when stating that Hankton exercised authority over persons, certainly well more than five or ten. However, Hankton claims that rather than directing its remarks to Mr. Hankton's conduct as it related to the actual offence, i.e., drug distribution, the court dwelled on Mr. Hankton's gang activities. This statement is nothing more than a self-serving red herring. See, e.g., United States v. Sutton, 406 F.3d 472, 474 (7th Cir.2005). "But none of the kids abide by it," he said. Indeed, the federal criminal code makes clear that: No limitation shall be placed on the information concerning the background, character, and conduct of a person convicted of an offense which a court of the United States may receive and consider for the purpose of imposing an appropriate sentence. 18 U.S.C. The following day, Davis also agreed to plead guilty to possessing, with the intent to distribute, approximately 250 grams of cocaine, also in violation of 21 U.S.C. In particular, Ngaya Brunner admits to purchasing approximately 10 and one-half grams of crack from Davis. Also a member of the MCs, Olden recounted that the main source of revenue for the gang was the sale of illegal drugs. The gang has distributed narcotics since the late 1960s . Yeah the cobras are deep in the low end. 841(a)(1), and Davis was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, also in violation of 21 U.S.C. Nothing could be further from the truth. 30 gang members would then be taken into custody.
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