Band Crew: Detroit Bust Of Street Gang Takes Down Members Who Bragged On Facebook [Video]

A violent street gang calling itself “Band Crew” was busted in Detroit by federal officials. Brand Crew had bragged about their exploits on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but now the only thing they will be sharing on social media is their mug shots.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, a notorious blood gang member spoke out on the death of a 3-year-old who was killed by a bullet intended for him.

According to the indictment paperwork for Band Crew, the Detroit bust managed to arrest eight members of the street gang. The Detroit Free Press listed the charges against the eight young men.

• Corey Deandre Mapp, 22, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
• Alexander Teontae Johnson, 20, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Leo James Johnson, 20, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a stolen firearm.
• Joseph Hezekiah Ford, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Travontae Javon Joseph, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a stolen firearm.
• Jamell Loval Smith, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Mario Perkins, 18, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
• Akeem Arteaze Walker, 19, of Detroit, who is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

Band Crew was formed in Detroit during a meeting at Burger King in November of 2011. Most of these men were juveniles at the time, but went on to own machine guns, sell drugs, and rob kids walking home from school. Over time, they began to brag about their exploits, which worsened over time, expanding into gas station robberies, home invasions, shootings, assaults and attempted murders.

Unfortunately, gang members have become more and more sophisticated over time. According to the FBI 2013 National Gang Report, various street gangs scattered across the United States are are encouraging members without criminal records to enlist in the military to obtain weapons expertise, combat training, or access to sensitive information.

“Gang members in the military engage in a host of criminal activities both on and off military installations. Gang members in the military, like their civilian counterparts, commit crimes, to include: drug trafficking, assaults, threats, intimidation, weapons trafficking, robberies, thefts, burglaries, fencing stolen goods, vandalism, and homicides.”

Detroit police say Band Crew was also associated with smaller neighborhood gangs like Young N Crispy, Constantly Making Hundreds – formerly known as Cash Money Hoes – and FOE Life, which stands for Family Over Everything Love is Forever. Although they intimidated witnesses and victims to keep them quiet, their social media videos left an electronic trail which allowed authorities to catch them.

WXYZ reports that all eight street gang members of Band Crew caught by the Detroit bust will remain behind bars until their next court appearance. It is expected for them to face lengthy prison sentences.

[Image via Shutterstock]