Mpls. Leader Of Crips Street Gang Sentenced

[E the Magnificent]

(WCCO) Minneapolis A Minneapolis leader of the Shotgun Crips street gang was sentenced to nine years in federal prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Lemarc John Harrell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

When Judge Michael J. Davis sentenced Harrell, he also took the defendant to task for damaging the community by trafficking cocaine, a sentiment shared by U.S. Attorney Rachel K. Paulose.

"Disrupting drug trafficking enterprises operated by violent street gangs is a priority of the U.S. Department of Justice, and these large-scale criminal enterprises are especially suited to federal prosecution," she said.

According to court documents, Harrell bought properties in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis to conduct gang business.

Those properties were among the items forfeited by Harrell in the sentence, which also included a Land Rover, a diamond tennis necklace and earrings, watches and over $11,000 in cash.

Harrell was one of 10 members of the Shotgun Crips who have been tried in federal court over the past two years. In all, those who either pleaded guilty or were tried in court were responsible for the distribution of over 100 kilograms of cocaine and marijuana throughout the Twin Cities metro area since 2000.