COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police announced the arrests of more than a dozen people during a two-year-long investigation.
The department's gang unit arrested 16 members of the Livingston Lonsdale Blood gang, saying they are responsible for trafficking drugs and violent crimes.
“A good number of these individuals were trafficking drugs near schools in our city, which brings the charges up,” said CPD Gang Unit Sgt. Shawn Gruber.
Gruber, along with the rest of the gang unit, the ATF and others have worked for two years identifying gang members and connecting them to crimes, especially violent crimes throughout the city.
“These crimes not only endangered the lives, but have contributed to the climate of fear that too many of our neighborhoods have had to endure,” said Columbus Police Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts.
Below is a list of the 16 people arrested and how many charges they have been indicted on:
- Quion Thomas (14 felonies)
- Isaiah Burnley (10 felonies)
- Dejonta McCall (17 felonies)
- Lamon Booker (27 felonies)
- Raymond Hill (6 felonies)
- Marquze Jacobs (29 felonies)
- Jamarr Owens (7 felonies)
- Tavoyn Morrison (5 felonies)
- Anthony Mayo (14 felonies)
- Toure Benton (11 felonies)
- Robert Jackson (5 felonies)
- Corbin Dotson (5 felonies)
- Darius McDonald (1 felony)
- Quamel Preston (4 felonies)
- Jamarious Franklin (4 felonies)
- Jajuan Williams (33 felonies)
According to a 100-page indictment, the gang members trafficked fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, meth and marijuana while carrying firearms. Gruber said all 16 suspects were prohibited from owning a firearm because of previous felony convictions of violent crimes.
Over the course of the investigation, Gruber said officers seized 56 guns, $156,000 and a "large amount" of fentanyl, meth, cocaine, oxycodone pills and marijuana.
“We will not stop until we disrupt and dismantle their illegal activities,” said Columbus Police Deputy Chief Rob Sagle.
Gruber said the investigation is ongoing and they expect more arrests for violent crimes.
10TV spoke to a man who lives in the neighborhood about the arrests of the alleged gang members.
“Born and raised here. My parents still live out here,” said resident Chandler Tennant.
Tennant saw a poster Columbus police put up of the suspects Tuesday afternoon explaining how many charges each are facing.
“I was kind of shocked because I'm just like, I grew up with him. We used to play that type of stuff. It kind of shocked me,” Tennant said.
Tennant has three kids and is thankful they will be able to walk in the neighborhood without fear of getting caught up in the middle of a drug deal or violence.
“Seeing that a lot of them won't be out here now, we can go to the store safer,” Tennant said.