24 people ‘closely affiliated’ with Shreveport gang indicted on CARES Act fraud; 1 suspect considered fugitive
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the unsealing of an indictment related to CARES Act Fraud involving a Shreveport gang on Tuesday, July 18.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was created in March 2020 to help provide emergency financial assistance to those suffering economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Small Business Administration (SBA), part of the act, focused on providing Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. The act also provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention through the Paycheck Protection Program.
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Brown said individuals and groups have reportedly collaborated and used false information to complete paperwork to get these funds and purchase firearms. He said they were able to receive anywhere from $20,000 to $200,000.
“There’s no secret that the Shreveport community is suffering from a violent crime epidemic,” said Brown.
He said 23 of 24 people, part of or closely affiliated with the gang Step or Die, also known as SOD, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The prosecution is underway for those individuals. The 24th person, Rodriguez Henry, is considered a fugitive.
“They’ve been known, I’m sure you’ve seen it all over social media and different accounts,” Brown said. “They’ve been known to carry out violent acts anywhere from robberies to murders to what have you. So I don’t think that’s a secret.”
They could face up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $25,000.
“What federal investigators have discovered is that gangs such as SOD are getting slightly more sophisticated when it comes to obtaining funds to operate,” Brown said. “The EIDL and PPP loan programs birthed new ways for them to obtain firearms and conduct other illicit, illegal activity.”
Gangs such as these normally are not prosecuted for white-collar crimes such as wire fraud.
“We will use all of the tools on our tool belt to help make our community safer,” said Brown.
| DEFENDANT | CHARGES | LOAN TYPE & AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
| Sirdell McColloch | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Roderguiz Henry (FRAUD) | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,260 / PPP |
| Johntrell Crutchfield | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Deanthony Johnson | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,575 / PPP $8,000 / EIDL |
| Deaaundrakous Hagger | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,833 / PPP $20,833 / PPP |
| Nico Stewart | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $4,000 / EIDL $1,000 / EIDL |
| Timothy Vasher | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Destane Glass | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Xavien Beasley | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $10,000 / EIDL |
| Quinterrius Brown | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $30,800 / EIDL Not funded |
| Toronco Loston | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP Not funded $201,100 / EIDL Not funded |
| Dewonnie Brown | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP $20,800 / PPP $20,833 / PPP $20,833 / PPP |
| Joshua Dominique | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Kadarius Jenkins | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Jasmine Glass | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $8,332 / PPP |
| Tramaine Taylor | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Antoria Johnson | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,458 / PPP $20,458 / PPP |
| Joketa Baulkman | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $19,005 / PPP $19,005 / PPP |
| Tyneal Johnson | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,833 / PPP $20,800 / PPP |
| Cierra Fleming | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,207 / PPP |
| Tramarciea Ruffins | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,415 / PPP |
| Olivia Thomas | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,832 / PPP |
| Samarrian Kingston | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,272 / PPP |
| Lakeah Gipson | Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud | $20,058 / PPP |
If you have any information on Henry’s whereabouts, please contact the U.S. Marshals Service at (318) 934-4300.
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