19 May – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that a federal grand jury in San Francisco late yesterday indicted three alleged “Westmob” gang members on federal racketeering charges and a fourth individual on conspiracy to use, and use of, a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The 18 count indictment charges James Hill, 23, David George, 23, and Trearl Malone, 28, with federal racketeering charges, and Trearl Malone and Kenyana Jones, 31, with conspiracy to use and use of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In addition, all four defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base. All four defendants are residents of San Francisco.
James Hill, David George and Trearl Malone are charged with participating in a criminal enterprise known as “Westmob.” According to the indictment, the alleged purpose and means of the gang was to distribute controlled substances, use firearms, intimidation, and violence against rival gang members and potential witnesses, and to promote a climate of fear and retaliation in order to prevent and dissuade victims and witnesses from reporting and testifying about the criminal activities of the alleged gang. The violent crime charges in this indictment stem from an ongoing feud between “Westmob” and another gang known as Big Block.
James Hill and David George are charged with federal murder offenses in connection with a double homicide that occurred on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2000, in the area of Third and Kirkwood Streets in the Bayview District of San Francisco. According to the indictment, Hill and George are alleged to have shot and killed Curtis Layne and Brian Williams in aid of racketeering activity by the “Westmob” gang.
Hill, George, and Malone are also charged with committing a drive by shooting on a freeway in San Francisco on December 21, 2000, causing serious bodily injury to two individuals. All of the defendants are being held in custody without bond.
This indictment is the result of a 4-year investigation carried on jointly by the San Francisco Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. George Bevan and Gregg Lowder are the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting the case.
Each of the murder charges against Hill and George carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty or life imprisonment. Kenyana Jones and Trearl Malone each face a maximum sentence of life in prison. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. 3553. An indictment only contains allegations against an individual and the defendants must be presumed innocent unless and until convicted.
