18 Alleged Gangbangers Charged in Large Drug Trafficking Bust

Eighteen alleged members or associates of the Black Disciples street gang were charged with drug and gun charges in a recent bust that include parts of Chicago’s South Side and the south suburbs.

All but two of the 18 men were captured Thursday, according to FBI officials. One was arrested Friday and another remains at large.

The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into drug and gun trafficking related to the Altgeld Gardens area, the FBI said. Twelve of the accused were picked up in and near Chicago without incident. Other arrests were made in Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana.

Criminal complaints alleging drug possession or distribution—including powder cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin—or firearms violations against the accused were filed earlier this week in the U.S. District Court in Chicago. Charges against two defendants were filed in Hammond, IN.

Local, state and federal authorities have been working together to break down a sophisticated drug trafficking organization in the Chicago area, the FBI said. To date, the investigation has netted more than 1.3 kilograms of crack cocaine, 0.44 kilograms of heroin and 39 firearms.

Those charged with drug offenses could face 20 years in some instances, 40 years others, while some could see a maximum sentence of life in prison, the FBI said.

The following people were charged with federal drug laws in Chicago:

• Walter Blackman, 50, of the 8600 block of Lakewood in Gary, IN (also charged with a federal firearms violation);
• Abdullah Brewer, 25, of the 6500 block of South Ashland Avenue in Chicago;
• Jeffrey Brewer, 23, of the 12000 block of South Michigan Avenue in Chicago;
• Jamaal Crawford 30, of the 3100 block of East 80th Street in Chicago;
• Stephan Gwin, 34, of the 500 block of East 114th Place in Dolton;
• Antoine Harris, 25, of the 13900 block of South Wentworth in Riverside;
• Darious Harris, 21, of the 11700 block of South Michigan Avenue in Chicago;
• Levertis Logan, 26, of the 14700 block of South Beachview in Dolton;
• Wallace Muhammad, 35, of the 14200 block of South Maryland Avenue in Chicago;
• LeShawn Price, 20, of the 3100 block of Butler Street in Sprinfield;
• Marlon Shannon, 54, of the 1100 block of East 101st in Chicago;
• Charles Tankson, 42, of the 14400 block of South Bensley Avenue in Burnham;
• Christopher Williams, 30, of the 4600 block of West Jackson Street in Chicago;

Brian Washington, 26, of the 400 block of Johnson Street in Gary, IN, was charged in Indiana.

These men face federal firearms charges:

• Ken Blackman, 29, no known permanent address;
• Anthony Green, 43, of the 7100 block of South Calumet Avenue in Chicago;
• James Jones, 36, of the 700 block of West 116th Place in Chicago;
• Christopher Derrick, 54, of the 2400 block of West 86th Avenue in Merrillville, IN.

Authorities say there is a nationwide manhunt for Ken Blackman, who alluded capture during this recent bust.