by Ran
Dana
Bostic was born in 1979 on the west side of Chicago, Illinois. When he
was three years old, his father was imprisoned. Four years later,
Bostic's mother gave birth to another son, Curtis Ellis, with Bostic's
stepfather, who was later bludgeoned to death. When he was eight years
old, Bostic's mother, who'd become addicted to heroin, lost custody of
her children, including Curtis and Bostic's sister, Tiffany, to his
grandmother when social services intervened. Bostic's grandmother,
however, died less than a year later.
During his childhood, local drug dealers sympathized with Bostic's poverty and regularly bought him pizza and gave him money. Eventually, he joined the New Breeds street gang -- a 1980s offshoot of Chicago's Black Gangsters street gang that dates back to the 1960s, itself an offshoot of the Black Gangster Disciples. Bostic began selling marijuana on a street corner at the age of 12. When he was 13, he was paid $8 per hour as a lookout for heroin dealers. Bostic was placed in a group home a year later and dropped out of school. During this time, he served time in juvenile detention after being found guilty of car theft and weapons possession. Bostic eventually came to be known locally by the nicknames, "Bird", "Mello" and "Freak".
During his childhood, local drug dealers sympathized with Bostic's poverty and regularly bought him pizza and gave him money. Eventually, he joined the New Breeds street gang -- a 1980s offshoot of Chicago's Black Gangsters street gang that dates back to the 1960s, itself an offshoot of the Black Gangster Disciples. Bostic began selling marijuana on a street corner at the age of 12. When he was 13, he was paid $8 per hour as a lookout for heroin dealers. Bostic was placed in a group home a year later and dropped out of school. During this time, he served time in juvenile detention after being found guilty of car theft and weapons possession. Bostic eventually came to be known locally by the nicknames, "Bird", "Mello" and "Freak".
By 2000, Bostic,
who'd grown to 6'2", had garnered further arrests for disorderly
conduct, unlawful use of a weapon and gambling. That year, he was
arrested after police observed him selling a bag of crack. He was found
guilty of drug possession with intent to distribute, but was sentenced
to one year of probation. By this time, Bostic had become a lieutenant
for Eleazer "Boodro" Alves, who dominated local drug sales. Ellis and
his childhood friends Maurice "Capone" Davis, who dropped out of school in the 9th grade; his cousin, Ladonta "Bam" Gill; and Brandon "Smooth" Richards began working for the gang as lookouts.
After Alves was shot to death at a neighborhood block party on Father's Day in 2001, Bostic assumed control of his drug operation and head of his faction of the New Breeds. Despite speculation that Bostic was responsible for Alves' murder, he hosted an annual barbecue on Father's Day in Alves' honor every year after his death.
After Alves was shot to death at a neighborhood block party on Father's Day in 2001, Bostic assumed control of his drug operation and head of his faction of the New Breeds. Despite speculation that Bostic was responsible for Alves' murder, he hosted an annual barbecue on Father's Day in Alves' honor every year after his death.
Bostic
appointed Ellis his second-in-command, and Ellis' friends, after
proving themselves, were promoted as well. Davis and Gill eventually
moved up to street supervisors along with Tommy "Little Tommy" Moore,
Dandre "D-Mack" London, Raynard Bowser and Cornelius "Bunny" Thomas,
overseeing daily heroin sales, which entailed distributing the product
to dealers for resale and subsequently collecting the revenue. The
street dealers included: Derek "Boo" Thomas; Tommy Adams; Ramone "Truck"
McClain; Parish Mitchell; and Norman Thompson. Bostic insisted that
his organization sell heroin exclusively.
Bostic established his base of operations at Moore's apartment, located on West
Van Buren Street. His crew controlled heroin sales in a 12-block
area bordered by Pulaski Road, Kostner Avenue, Congress Parkway and
Jackson Street. The area was located
next to the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway, which is the primary artery to
the western suburbs from the West Side, known locally as the "heroin
highway". Bostic's New Breeds maintained drug spots along the 4000 block of West Van Buren Street, including a Citgo gas station. He also controlled sales near a Save-A-Lot grocery store and elevated train stations located on the near west side
of Chicago operated by the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line, which
is one of only two routes of the Chicago "L" system to run 24 hours a
day.
Bostic would routinely rent a car, accompanied by his second-in-command, which was used to transport 100 grams of heroin obtained from a supplier two to four times per week to an apartment, where it was processed. This location was referred to as the "table" by members of the gang. Typical for narcotics organizations, Bostic's group routinely used code words when referencing drugs in order to conceal the true subjects of potentially incriminating conversations. Bostic usually paid between $8,500 and $9,000 per 100 grams. Processing and packaging routinely took place at the homes of gang members Gill, located in Cicero, Illinois, and James "Jigga" Kirkendall, where large quantities of heroin (up to $8,000) was stored in freezers. Bostic paid Gill's and Kirkendall's rent in exchange for the use of the apartments.
Usually Bostic; his second-in-command; gang member Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter; Kirkendall and Gill would "cut" or mix the heroin with the antihistamine diphenhydramine, also known as Dormin, which can be readily obtained over-the-counter, in order to decrease its potency as well as to increase the volume of the product. The drug was packaged by wrapping one-tenth gram portions in foil, which would be placed in blue or pink-colored bags, referred to as "blows", and stamped with a gold crown insignia so that they could be readily identified by customers. The second-in-command and Hunter then distributed the bags to "runners" in 13-increment bundles, referred to as "jabs". Multiple "jabs" packaged together in sandwich bags were referred to as "packs". Gang member Aaron "Little One" Bagley, in turn, would give the packs and jabs to the street supervisors, who distributed to the dealers, who actually sold individual bags to the heroin users.
Bags were usually sold for $10 each. The dealers were expected to turn over $110 for each jab, which meant that they had the option of selling all 13 bags while keeping $20 profit or they could keep two bags for themselves. If a dealer could not return either the heroin or the money, because of a robbery or arrest, he was expected to sell what was referred to as a "happy pack", wherein the dealer was provided with a jab that he was expected to sell with no option of personal profit. However, Bostic wasn't above using force to ensure the books were balanced. He once broke Gill's arm with a baseball bat when he turned in less money than was due. On average, the organization made $5,000 a day, but typically made $10,000 on the first day of each month -- when government assistance checks are delivered. Ranking members/street supervisors sometimes sold between $50 to $500 worth of heroin at a time to certain customers, referred to as "P's" -- for preferred. "P's" could arrange to buy heroin by calling gang member Aaron "Little One" Bagley on a cellphone reserved exclusively for them. In keeping with the use of coded language, organization members alternately referred to firearms as "toys" and "gym shoes" and to bullets as "shoestrings".
In June of 2002, Bostic was arrested for the murder of a member of the rival Undertaker Vice Lords street gang. The charge stemmed from the May 19 shooting of fellow-New Breed member, Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter, in the leg. The Undertakers member was shot to death later that night by a hooded figure who approached the car in which he and another victim were sitting. The victim who survived later identified Bostic, but recanted his statement at trial. Bostic's alibi, however, that he had been with a woman at the time of the murder, didn't hold up when her statement to police contradicted his story. Though she refused to further cooperate with the investigation, Bostic was found guilty of first-degree murder. The conviction was reversed one month later.
On March 8 of that year, Davis, who by that time had begun taking the drug Ecstasy up to three times daily, was convicted of the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and sentenced to 24 months of probation. On May 19, 2003, he was convicted for violating probation and sentenced to three years in prison. Cornelius Thomas, who'd dropped out of school in the 9th grade, was convicted of juvenile possession of marijuana that October and sentenced to probation for one year. He was convicted again in February of 2004, this time for juvenile disorderly conduct, for which he was sentenced to probation for 18 months.
Bostic also supplied Donnie Ackers, one of the leaders of a rival gang, the Dirty Unknown Vice Lords, and Kyle Morris, one of the leaders of the Sniper Four Corner Hustlers street gang. Although Ackers led a rival gang, Bostic not only supplied him, but he befriended him. Beginning in 2004, the two socialized with each other regularly.
On August 28, 2005, while at the White Palace Grill restaurant, in Chicago's West Loop, located near downtown Chicago, New Breed member Nigel Odum got into a fight with Chicago-native and NBA player Tony Allen and his associate, local drug dealer Claudius "Scoop" Fincher. Allen fractured Odum's left eye socket when he punched him outside the restaurant. The fight also resulted in fellow-New Breed member Marktwain "Tilly" Johnson being shot in the left arm and side by an unidentified perpetrator. The entire exchange was reportedly captured by a security camera. Allen was seen fleeing the restaurant a little after 3:30 a.m. Reportedly, the fight stemmed from an argument between Allen and Johnson that took place two weeks prior. All four were at the White Palace to celebrate then-rookie Will Bynum's new contract with the Boston Celtics. Allen, who was in his second year with the Celtics, was also a teammate of Bynum's at Chicago's Crane High School. Both Johnson and Odum subsequently sued Allen in civil court seeking damages of $50,000 minimum -- each. The two also sued the restaurant for providing negligent security. According to Odum and Johnson's lawsuit, the brawl started when, following an argument between Allen and Johnson, Allen directed a member of his 15-person entourage to attack Johnson by tapping him on the chest and saying, "Fuck him up." Allen was arrested on October 20. After spending two days in jail, he posted a $150,000 bond and returned to Boston in time to travel to Uncasville, Connecticut with the rest of the team in preparation for a preseason game against the New Jersey Nets on the 22nd. Allen, who earned $1 million that season, was formally charged with aggravated battery on October 26.
In 2005, Bostic was convicted for weapons possession by a felon. That same year, fellow-New Breeds member Aaron "Lil' One" Bagley was convicted for possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to 24 months of probation. That August, Cornelius Thomas was convicted of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance after selling heroin to an undercover officer and sentenced to 24 months of probation as well. He was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in September of 2006 and again received 24 months of probation. The following month, Davis was convicted of domestic battery and sentenced to 100 days in jail. In December, Cornelius Thomas was convicted of criminal trespass to a residence and damage to property, for which he received a 45-day jail sentence.
In 2007, a member of rival gang, the Four Corner Hustlers, attempted to run over New Breeds-associate Jason Lewis with a car. As a result, New Breeds members Lee Floyd, Bostic's brother-in-law; Ellis; Bostic's childhood friend Charles "Maniac" Cowart; and Lewis assaulted the rival gang member, known by the street moniker "Little Larry", which led to shootings between the two groups. Cowart was shot two days after the assault. Ellis and Davis accompanied by a member of the Traveler street gang and acquaintance of several New Breed members, James "Pee Wee" Phelan, when he shot and wounded another Four Corner member known as "Monk". Gill and Bagley were two of four New Breeds-associates who were riding in a car when the driver crashed into a pole after being shot in the head and killed, in response. In retaliation, Bostic sent Davis to drive Ellis, who'd intended to kill "Little Larry", who'd recently been spotted. When they arrived, "Little Larry" couldn't be located, so Ellis subsequently shot and killed another Four Corner Hustlers gang member in the area known by the street names "Casino" and C-Note".
Though he faced a potential maximum five-year prison sentence if convicted, Tony Allen was found not guilty of aggravated battery on April 24, 2007, after a two-day trial.
Davis was convicted of possession of a controlled substance on August 1, 2007, and received an 18-month prison sentence. That same year, Bagley was also convicted of possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to 18 months in state prison.
The money generated from heroin sales gave Bostic access to a more extravagant lifestyle. By 2008, he had moved to suburban Aurora, Illinois and had two children with longtime girlfriend, Mahogany Barbee. Barbee, a nursing assistant, allowed him to register many of his assets, including three cars, in her name. He flaunted his wealth by taking trips to Las Vegas and renting party buses to celebrate the birthdays of other gang members.
While at a party with Bostic, Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter and Ellis in July of 2008, an inebriated Davis shot (non-fatally) another partygoer in the stomach after mistaking the joking interaction between the man and Ellis for hostility.
On August 18, 2008, Ellis had a physical altercation with Tony Allen at the now-defunct Excalibur nightclub, located in the River North section of the Near North Side area of Chicago. Allen, who mistook Ellis for Nigel Odum, approached Ellis in the mens' room of the nightclub and accused him of being a snitch. Ellis responded by slapping him.
Bostic and Ellis were sitting in Bostic's Mercedes Benz while parked outside of the Rock 'n' Roll McDonald's, located near Excalibur, when they were fired upon at about 4:15 a.m. Bostic was shot five times but managed to drive himself and Ellis, who was also shot multiple times, to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, where Ellis was declared dead on arrival. Bostic was hospitalized in critical condition.
After signing himself out of the hospital, Bostic convened a meeting with Davis, Floyd, Gill, Moore, Bagley and Richardson at Moore's home to discuss retaliating against those he held responsible for Ellis' murder. They then drove to Undertakers' territory in two car loads, and upon arrival, opened fire on several gang members. The following day, Bostic directed his enforcers to kill Fincher and at least three other gang members, known by the monikers "Bambi", "Bud", and "Ramon".
Three days after Bostic's shooting, Gill, accompanied by Davis and Moore, fatally shot Davon "D-Low" Taylor twice after following him to a local gas station. Taylor was targeted after Moore identified him in traffic as Fincher's cousin. Following the shooting, Davis exchanged the murder weapon for another handgun on Chicago's South Side. The murder was captured on video, however, police wereunable to identify the perpetrators. Two days later, Gill and Moore were involved in a shoot-out with police, who intervened immediately following the attempted murder of more Undertakers members (including "Bambi") outside of a storefront.
With Ellis dead, Bostic Lee Floyd, his second-in-comand. Later in 2008, acting on orders from Bostic, Davis drove Cowart to shoot a Four corner Hustlers gang member known as "Weebo" to death. That winter, Bostic continued his vendetta against Fincher when he ordered Davis, who was accompanied by Richards and Moore, to kill a gang member, "Stanley", in Fincher's employ. Though shot, "Stanley" survived. On November 24, Gill was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a retaliatory shooting in the wake of Ellis' murder during which a rival gang member sustained gunshot wounds to his legs.
On June 21, 2009, Father's Day that year, a fight broke out during Bostic's annual barbecue in memory of Alves, held in the playground of Genevieve Melody Elementary School, on the corner of W. Van Buren Street and South Keeler Avenue. Approximately 80 people were in attendance. During the melee, shots were fired, and Cowart and others returned fire, accidentally injuring Floyd, who was shot in the upper back. Bostic transported Floyd to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, where he was pronounced dead the next morning. Police later concluded that at least 28 gunshots from at least six different firearms had been fired at the scene.
On June 26, Cowart, who handled distribution of heroin to street supervisors and dealers for the gang, was pulled over and arrested following a brief foot chase, during which he discarded the 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun he'd fired during the barbecue. He was subsequently charged with being an armed habitual criminal, aggravated discharge of a firearm and first-degree murder. Cowart testified that he brandished his gun once the shooting started, because he'd been shot on multiple occasions in the past. He received a 51-year sentence in state prison after being convicted of first-degree murder and being an armed habitual criminal.
Bostic later filled Floyd's position with Richards. In his new role as second-in-command of the organization, Richards routinely collected proceeds from sales from street supervisors, who would then obtain more heroin from Bagley, who'd worked his way up from his initial position as a lookout in 2001.
Also in June, a ranking member of the gang who was in custody on pending state charges agreed to act as a confidential informant for investigators. He would be the first of many gang members who would agree to act as government cooperators.
Bostic was often supplied with heroin by Eddie "White Boy" Valentino. Valentino, in turn, was supplied by Erik "Fat Ass" Guevara, who headed a narcotics-trafficking organization of his own. Guevara was supplied by the Sinaloa Cartel, headed by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, a drug organization named after the Mexican state where it originated.
In October, the Chicago police Department and the Chicago branch of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) launched an investigation into Bostic's network called "Operation Bird Cage". The investigation included in-person surveillance, information from confidential informants and wiretaps of cellphones used by various members of the gang.
Bostic was arrested for drunk driving and drug charges on November 27, 2009. He also lacked a valid driver's license. Bostic continued to direct the activities of the gang while he was detained at the Cook County Jail, relaying orders through Richards. Authorities monitored his phone calls from the jail until his release on December 12.
Though the organization's members changed cellphones regularly, investigators began wiretapping cellphones used by Richards, Bostic, Valentino, and Guevara on February 3, 2010. On February 13, Davis was approached by a police officer because his play with a dog in the parking lot of a Save-A-Lot store was obstructing traffic. The officer later identified Davis' voice on wiretapped phone calls. On March 4, Kirkendall was pulled over after running a red light and the officers who questioned him later identified his voice on wiretapped calls as well. On the morning of February 19, an undercover officer purchased $40 worth of heroin from Derek Thomas, who also have his telephone number to the officer.
On the morning of April 1, 2010, Adams was arrested after selling two bags ($20 worth) of heroin to an undercover officer. He proceeded to provide a detailed rundown of Bostic's organization, including: member aliases, hours of operation, and territory boundaries.
On the morning of May 4, CPD officers arrested Bagley at the West Van Buren Street apartment, which by that time was under regular surveillance. Police subsequently arrested a woman leaving the apartment and seized 16 grams of heroin -- which could bring in $2,000 when sold on the street. Less than two hours later and after being taken to a police station, the woman confessed and identified Davis.
Shortly before 10 a.m. on May 27, Thompson was arrested after being observed obtaining heroin from Moore and subsequently making two hand-to-hand sales. Thompson then identified Moore from a photo array. That same day, Kyle Morris was arrested and charged with narcotics possession after being pulled over and found with 99.3 grams of heroin.
On July 25, law enforcement intercepted a telephone conversation in which Erik Guevara and his associate, Enrico Valentino, discussed having difficulties opening a "trap", or secret compartment, in a Dodge Dakota in which heroin was concealed. Police had priviously pulled over the same vehicle on June 4 and seized $15,017 in cash from Guevara-associate Elias Rubio. After failing to open the trap, Enrico Valentino, with assistance, removed the drive shaft of the Dakota and placed it in the back of Guevara's Jeep Cherokee. Though Guevara was driving 10 miles under the speed limit, police pulled him over on the night of July 26 because neither he, nor his passenger, Rubio, was wearing a seatbelt. A search of the Cherokee yielded 7.7 kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value of $1 million, concealed in the drive shaft in the back of the Jeep. The officers also seized $5,000 in cash from Guevara, but did not place him under arrest.
A 200-page federal criminal complaint filed August 10, 2010, charged Bostic and 15 others with conspiring to knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 1,000 grams or more of mixtures and substances containing heroin from 2009 to August of 2010. Besides Bostic, the complaint named Brandon "Smooth" Richards; Aaron "Little One" Bagley; Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter; James "Jigga" Kirkendall; Ladonta "Bam" Gill; Maurice "Capone" Davis; Tommy "Little Tommy" Moore; Dandre "D-Mack" London; Raynard Bowser; Cornelius "Mike" Thomas; Derek "Boo" Thomas; Raymone "Truck" McClain; Parish Mitchell; Tommy Adams; and Norman Thompson. Erik "Fat Ass" Guevara; Eddie "White Boy" Valentino; Enrico "Rico" Valentino; Elias Rubio; Rickey Ruiz; Ruben Rosario; Kyle Morris; Donnie Ackers; Jonathan "Ikey" Moore; and Parris Fultz, also known as Terrance Daly, were also charged in the complaint.
The next day, DEA agents executed seven federal search warrants and police officers and federal agents seized 13 guns and arrested several members of the organization, including Bagley, who immediately agreed to cooperate with investigators. By August 12, 23 members of the network had been arrested and faced federal charges, including: Richards; Hunter; Bagley; Moore; London; Bowser; Cornelius Thomas; Derek Thomas; Adams; McLain; Mitchell; Thompson; Enrico Valentino; Rickey Ruiz; Ruben Rosario; and Guevara. Wholesale customers Parris Fultz, Kyle Morris, Donnie Ackers and Jonathan Moore had been apprehended as well. Dwayne Johnson and Deshawn Williams were arrested on state charges. In addition, 17 pounds of heroin, worth an estimated $1 million, had been seized. Kirkendall, Davis, Gill, Elias Rubio, Eddie Valentino, Eric Hawkins, and Bostic himself were all fugitives.
Guevara was arrested at his home in suburban Forest Park, where police found $100,00 in cash in a hidden compartment during a search of the basement.
Police searched for Bostic at his sister, Tiffany's home on August 12. Davis, who arrived at the home after the police left the premises, fled to Michigan, where he was eventually arrested, upon learning that members of the organization were being sought by police.
Federal marshals arrested Bostic on Friday the 13th, in August, leaving Nigel Odum's home in Villa Park. Bostic's longtime girlfriend, Mahogany Barbee, who was with him at the time, was arrested as well and charged with, and subsequently pleaded guilty to, harboring a fugitive.
On November 3, a federal grand jury returned a 22-count indictment against Bostic, Gill, Hunter, Adams, and 10 other members of the network with intent to distribute and distribution of 1,000 grams or more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin. Adams subsequently pleaded guilty and received a 180-month sentence.
Davis began cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's office on December 22, 2010. Cornelius Thomas and Bagley eventually cooperated with the government as well. Valentino, who also cooperated, was sentenced to 71 months in prison. Bagley was initially sentenced to 235 months in prison after pleading guilty to heroin conspiracy, but his sentence was eventually reduced to 141 months. Richards was sentenced to 184 months in prison. Davis received a 20-year sentence and Guevara was sentenced to 30 years.
On December 21, 2011, Gill pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances.
Bostic's trial was scheduled to begin February 27, 2012, but on February 22, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute a kilogram or more grams of heroin.
On July 9, Gill was sentenced to 329 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. By August, Phelan was incarcerated in Cook County Jail awaiting trial on felony murder and armed robbery charges. During his arrest, he led police on a high-speed chase on the Eisenhower Expressway.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly sentenced Bostic to 38 years in federal prison on August 3, 2012. His sentence called for 10 years of supervised release and the stipulations that he obtain a GED and complete a job skills training program. The judge ordered that he perform 15 hours of community service per week if unemployed for any 60-day period upon his release. Davis, Bagley and Thomas all testified at Bostic's sentencing hearing. The prosecution argued that he was responsible for distributing up to 30 kilograms of heroin from 2009 to 2010. Bostic was represented by attorneys Beau Brindley and Joshua Jones, who argued that he merely arranged transactions between Richards and a wholesale supplier. A local resident, an 83-year-old woman, wrote the judge a letter on Bostic's behalf, which explained that he helped her with her groceries and insisted that other gang members treated her with respect. During the hearing, federal marshals removed several people from the courtroom who they'd witnessed using cellphones to videotape Davis' testimony.
Bostic was transported to USP Pollock (United States Penitentiary, Pollock), a maximum-security federal prison located in Pollock, Louisana. It would be the first prison sentence of his life.
On September 26, 2014, Gill's prison term was reduced from 329 months to 280 months, following a sentencing appeal.
Charles "Maniac" Cowart's murder and armed habitual criminal convictions were reversed on appeal in 2015 when it was established that, among other things, Lee Floyd may have been accidentally killed by another shooter at the 2009 Father's Day barbecue.
The apartment at 4019 West Van Buren Street has since been demolished.
Bostic would routinely rent a car, accompanied by his second-in-command, which was used to transport 100 grams of heroin obtained from a supplier two to four times per week to an apartment, where it was processed. This location was referred to as the "table" by members of the gang. Typical for narcotics organizations, Bostic's group routinely used code words when referencing drugs in order to conceal the true subjects of potentially incriminating conversations. Bostic usually paid between $8,500 and $9,000 per 100 grams. Processing and packaging routinely took place at the homes of gang members Gill, located in Cicero, Illinois, and James "Jigga" Kirkendall, where large quantities of heroin (up to $8,000) was stored in freezers. Bostic paid Gill's and Kirkendall's rent in exchange for the use of the apartments.
Usually Bostic; his second-in-command; gang member Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter; Kirkendall and Gill would "cut" or mix the heroin with the antihistamine diphenhydramine, also known as Dormin, which can be readily obtained over-the-counter, in order to decrease its potency as well as to increase the volume of the product. The drug was packaged by wrapping one-tenth gram portions in foil, which would be placed in blue or pink-colored bags, referred to as "blows", and stamped with a gold crown insignia so that they could be readily identified by customers. The second-in-command and Hunter then distributed the bags to "runners" in 13-increment bundles, referred to as "jabs". Multiple "jabs" packaged together in sandwich bags were referred to as "packs". Gang member Aaron "Little One" Bagley, in turn, would give the packs and jabs to the street supervisors, who distributed to the dealers, who actually sold individual bags to the heroin users.
Bags were usually sold for $10 each. The dealers were expected to turn over $110 for each jab, which meant that they had the option of selling all 13 bags while keeping $20 profit or they could keep two bags for themselves. If a dealer could not return either the heroin or the money, because of a robbery or arrest, he was expected to sell what was referred to as a "happy pack", wherein the dealer was provided with a jab that he was expected to sell with no option of personal profit. However, Bostic wasn't above using force to ensure the books were balanced. He once broke Gill's arm with a baseball bat when he turned in less money than was due. On average, the organization made $5,000 a day, but typically made $10,000 on the first day of each month -- when government assistance checks are delivered. Ranking members/street supervisors sometimes sold between $50 to $500 worth of heroin at a time to certain customers, referred to as "P's" -- for preferred. "P's" could arrange to buy heroin by calling gang member Aaron "Little One" Bagley on a cellphone reserved exclusively for them. In keeping with the use of coded language, organization members alternately referred to firearms as "toys" and "gym shoes" and to bullets as "shoestrings".
In June of 2002, Bostic was arrested for the murder of a member of the rival Undertaker Vice Lords street gang. The charge stemmed from the May 19 shooting of fellow-New Breed member, Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter, in the leg. The Undertakers member was shot to death later that night by a hooded figure who approached the car in which he and another victim were sitting. The victim who survived later identified Bostic, but recanted his statement at trial. Bostic's alibi, however, that he had been with a woman at the time of the murder, didn't hold up when her statement to police contradicted his story. Though she refused to further cooperate with the investigation, Bostic was found guilty of first-degree murder. The conviction was reversed one month later.
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| Chicago |
On March 8 of that year, Davis, who by that time had begun taking the drug Ecstasy up to three times daily, was convicted of the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and sentenced to 24 months of probation. On May 19, 2003, he was convicted for violating probation and sentenced to three years in prison. Cornelius Thomas, who'd dropped out of school in the 9th grade, was convicted of juvenile possession of marijuana that October and sentenced to probation for one year. He was convicted again in February of 2004, this time for juvenile disorderly conduct, for which he was sentenced to probation for 18 months.
Bostic also supplied Donnie Ackers, one of the leaders of a rival gang, the Dirty Unknown Vice Lords, and Kyle Morris, one of the leaders of the Sniper Four Corner Hustlers street gang. Although Ackers led a rival gang, Bostic not only supplied him, but he befriended him. Beginning in 2004, the two socialized with each other regularly.
On August 28, 2005, while at the White Palace Grill restaurant, in Chicago's West Loop, located near downtown Chicago, New Breed member Nigel Odum got into a fight with Chicago-native and NBA player Tony Allen and his associate, local drug dealer Claudius "Scoop" Fincher. Allen fractured Odum's left eye socket when he punched him outside the restaurant. The fight also resulted in fellow-New Breed member Marktwain "Tilly" Johnson being shot in the left arm and side by an unidentified perpetrator. The entire exchange was reportedly captured by a security camera. Allen was seen fleeing the restaurant a little after 3:30 a.m. Reportedly, the fight stemmed from an argument between Allen and Johnson that took place two weeks prior. All four were at the White Palace to celebrate then-rookie Will Bynum's new contract with the Boston Celtics. Allen, who was in his second year with the Celtics, was also a teammate of Bynum's at Chicago's Crane High School. Both Johnson and Odum subsequently sued Allen in civil court seeking damages of $50,000 minimum -- each. The two also sued the restaurant for providing negligent security. According to Odum and Johnson's lawsuit, the brawl started when, following an argument between Allen and Johnson, Allen directed a member of his 15-person entourage to attack Johnson by tapping him on the chest and saying, "Fuck him up." Allen was arrested on October 20. After spending two days in jail, he posted a $150,000 bond and returned to Boston in time to travel to Uncasville, Connecticut with the rest of the team in preparation for a preseason game against the New Jersey Nets on the 22nd. Allen, who earned $1 million that season, was formally charged with aggravated battery on October 26.
In 2005, Bostic was convicted for weapons possession by a felon. That same year, fellow-New Breeds member Aaron "Lil' One" Bagley was convicted for possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to 24 months of probation. That August, Cornelius Thomas was convicted of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance after selling heroin to an undercover officer and sentenced to 24 months of probation as well. He was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in September of 2006 and again received 24 months of probation. The following month, Davis was convicted of domestic battery and sentenced to 100 days in jail. In December, Cornelius Thomas was convicted of criminal trespass to a residence and damage to property, for which he received a 45-day jail sentence.
In 2007, a member of rival gang, the Four Corner Hustlers, attempted to run over New Breeds-associate Jason Lewis with a car. As a result, New Breeds members Lee Floyd, Bostic's brother-in-law; Ellis; Bostic's childhood friend Charles "Maniac" Cowart; and Lewis assaulted the rival gang member, known by the street moniker "Little Larry", which led to shootings between the two groups. Cowart was shot two days after the assault. Ellis and Davis accompanied by a member of the Traveler street gang and acquaintance of several New Breed members, James "Pee Wee" Phelan, when he shot and wounded another Four Corner member known as "Monk". Gill and Bagley were two of four New Breeds-associates who were riding in a car when the driver crashed into a pole after being shot in the head and killed, in response. In retaliation, Bostic sent Davis to drive Ellis, who'd intended to kill "Little Larry", who'd recently been spotted. When they arrived, "Little Larry" couldn't be located, so Ellis subsequently shot and killed another Four Corner Hustlers gang member in the area known by the street names "Casino" and C-Note".
Though he faced a potential maximum five-year prison sentence if convicted, Tony Allen was found not guilty of aggravated battery on April 24, 2007, after a two-day trial.
Davis was convicted of possession of a controlled substance on August 1, 2007, and received an 18-month prison sentence. That same year, Bagley was also convicted of possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to 18 months in state prison.
The money generated from heroin sales gave Bostic access to a more extravagant lifestyle. By 2008, he had moved to suburban Aurora, Illinois and had two children with longtime girlfriend, Mahogany Barbee. Barbee, a nursing assistant, allowed him to register many of his assets, including three cars, in her name. He flaunted his wealth by taking trips to Las Vegas and renting party buses to celebrate the birthdays of other gang members.
While at a party with Bostic, Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter and Ellis in July of 2008, an inebriated Davis shot (non-fatally) another partygoer in the stomach after mistaking the joking interaction between the man and Ellis for hostility.
On August 18, 2008, Ellis had a physical altercation with Tony Allen at the now-defunct Excalibur nightclub, located in the River North section of the Near North Side area of Chicago. Allen, who mistook Ellis for Nigel Odum, approached Ellis in the mens' room of the nightclub and accused him of being a snitch. Ellis responded by slapping him.
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| Tony Allen |
Bostic and Ellis were sitting in Bostic's Mercedes Benz while parked outside of the Rock 'n' Roll McDonald's, located near Excalibur, when they were fired upon at about 4:15 a.m. Bostic was shot five times but managed to drive himself and Ellis, who was also shot multiple times, to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, where Ellis was declared dead on arrival. Bostic was hospitalized in critical condition.
After signing himself out of the hospital, Bostic convened a meeting with Davis, Floyd, Gill, Moore, Bagley and Richardson at Moore's home to discuss retaliating against those he held responsible for Ellis' murder. They then drove to Undertakers' territory in two car loads, and upon arrival, opened fire on several gang members. The following day, Bostic directed his enforcers to kill Fincher and at least three other gang members, known by the monikers "Bambi", "Bud", and "Ramon".
Three days after Bostic's shooting, Gill, accompanied by Davis and Moore, fatally shot Davon "D-Low" Taylor twice after following him to a local gas station. Taylor was targeted after Moore identified him in traffic as Fincher's cousin. Following the shooting, Davis exchanged the murder weapon for another handgun on Chicago's South Side. The murder was captured on video, however, police wereunable to identify the perpetrators. Two days later, Gill and Moore were involved in a shoot-out with police, who intervened immediately following the attempted murder of more Undertakers members (including "Bambi") outside of a storefront.
With Ellis dead, Bostic Lee Floyd, his second-in-comand. Later in 2008, acting on orders from Bostic, Davis drove Cowart to shoot a Four corner Hustlers gang member known as "Weebo" to death. That winter, Bostic continued his vendetta against Fincher when he ordered Davis, who was accompanied by Richards and Moore, to kill a gang member, "Stanley", in Fincher's employ. Though shot, "Stanley" survived. On November 24, Gill was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a retaliatory shooting in the wake of Ellis' murder during which a rival gang member sustained gunshot wounds to his legs.
On June 21, 2009, Father's Day that year, a fight broke out during Bostic's annual barbecue in memory of Alves, held in the playground of Genevieve Melody Elementary School, on the corner of W. Van Buren Street and South Keeler Avenue. Approximately 80 people were in attendance. During the melee, shots were fired, and Cowart and others returned fire, accidentally injuring Floyd, who was shot in the upper back. Bostic transported Floyd to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, where he was pronounced dead the next morning. Police later concluded that at least 28 gunshots from at least six different firearms had been fired at the scene.
On June 26, Cowart, who handled distribution of heroin to street supervisors and dealers for the gang, was pulled over and arrested following a brief foot chase, during which he discarded the 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun he'd fired during the barbecue. He was subsequently charged with being an armed habitual criminal, aggravated discharge of a firearm and first-degree murder. Cowart testified that he brandished his gun once the shooting started, because he'd been shot on multiple occasions in the past. He received a 51-year sentence in state prison after being convicted of first-degree murder and being an armed habitual criminal.
Bostic later filled Floyd's position with Richards. In his new role as second-in-command of the organization, Richards routinely collected proceeds from sales from street supervisors, who would then obtain more heroin from Bagley, who'd worked his way up from his initial position as a lookout in 2001.
Also in June, a ranking member of the gang who was in custody on pending state charges agreed to act as a confidential informant for investigators. He would be the first of many gang members who would agree to act as government cooperators.
Bostic was often supplied with heroin by Eddie "White Boy" Valentino. Valentino, in turn, was supplied by Erik "Fat Ass" Guevara, who headed a narcotics-trafficking organization of his own. Guevara was supplied by the Sinaloa Cartel, headed by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, a drug organization named after the Mexican state where it originated.
In October, the Chicago police Department and the Chicago branch of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) launched an investigation into Bostic's network called "Operation Bird Cage". The investigation included in-person surveillance, information from confidential informants and wiretaps of cellphones used by various members of the gang.
Bostic was arrested for drunk driving and drug charges on November 27, 2009. He also lacked a valid driver's license. Bostic continued to direct the activities of the gang while he was detained at the Cook County Jail, relaying orders through Richards. Authorities monitored his phone calls from the jail until his release on December 12.
Though the organization's members changed cellphones regularly, investigators began wiretapping cellphones used by Richards, Bostic, Valentino, and Guevara on February 3, 2010. On February 13, Davis was approached by a police officer because his play with a dog in the parking lot of a Save-A-Lot store was obstructing traffic. The officer later identified Davis' voice on wiretapped phone calls. On March 4, Kirkendall was pulled over after running a red light and the officers who questioned him later identified his voice on wiretapped calls as well. On the morning of February 19, an undercover officer purchased $40 worth of heroin from Derek Thomas, who also have his telephone number to the officer.
On the morning of April 1, 2010, Adams was arrested after selling two bags ($20 worth) of heroin to an undercover officer. He proceeded to provide a detailed rundown of Bostic's organization, including: member aliases, hours of operation, and territory boundaries.
On the morning of May 4, CPD officers arrested Bagley at the West Van Buren Street apartment, which by that time was under regular surveillance. Police subsequently arrested a woman leaving the apartment and seized 16 grams of heroin -- which could bring in $2,000 when sold on the street. Less than two hours later and after being taken to a police station, the woman confessed and identified Davis.
Shortly before 10 a.m. on May 27, Thompson was arrested after being observed obtaining heroin from Moore and subsequently making two hand-to-hand sales. Thompson then identified Moore from a photo array. That same day, Kyle Morris was arrested and charged with narcotics possession after being pulled over and found with 99.3 grams of heroin.
On July 25, law enforcement intercepted a telephone conversation in which Erik Guevara and his associate, Enrico Valentino, discussed having difficulties opening a "trap", or secret compartment, in a Dodge Dakota in which heroin was concealed. Police had priviously pulled over the same vehicle on June 4 and seized $15,017 in cash from Guevara-associate Elias Rubio. After failing to open the trap, Enrico Valentino, with assistance, removed the drive shaft of the Dakota and placed it in the back of Guevara's Jeep Cherokee. Though Guevara was driving 10 miles under the speed limit, police pulled him over on the night of July 26 because neither he, nor his passenger, Rubio, was wearing a seatbelt. A search of the Cherokee yielded 7.7 kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value of $1 million, concealed in the drive shaft in the back of the Jeep. The officers also seized $5,000 in cash from Guevara, but did not place him under arrest.
A 200-page federal criminal complaint filed August 10, 2010, charged Bostic and 15 others with conspiring to knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute 1,000 grams or more of mixtures and substances containing heroin from 2009 to August of 2010. Besides Bostic, the complaint named Brandon "Smooth" Richards; Aaron "Little One" Bagley; Christopher "Chris Rock" Hunter; James "Jigga" Kirkendall; Ladonta "Bam" Gill; Maurice "Capone" Davis; Tommy "Little Tommy" Moore; Dandre "D-Mack" London; Raynard Bowser; Cornelius "Mike" Thomas; Derek "Boo" Thomas; Raymone "Truck" McClain; Parish Mitchell; Tommy Adams; and Norman Thompson. Erik "Fat Ass" Guevara; Eddie "White Boy" Valentino; Enrico "Rico" Valentino; Elias Rubio; Rickey Ruiz; Ruben Rosario; Kyle Morris; Donnie Ackers; Jonathan "Ikey" Moore; and Parris Fultz, also known as Terrance Daly, were also charged in the complaint.
The next day, DEA agents executed seven federal search warrants and police officers and federal agents seized 13 guns and arrested several members of the organization, including Bagley, who immediately agreed to cooperate with investigators. By August 12, 23 members of the network had been arrested and faced federal charges, including: Richards; Hunter; Bagley; Moore; London; Bowser; Cornelius Thomas; Derek Thomas; Adams; McLain; Mitchell; Thompson; Enrico Valentino; Rickey Ruiz; Ruben Rosario; and Guevara. Wholesale customers Parris Fultz, Kyle Morris, Donnie Ackers and Jonathan Moore had been apprehended as well. Dwayne Johnson and Deshawn Williams were arrested on state charges. In addition, 17 pounds of heroin, worth an estimated $1 million, had been seized. Kirkendall, Davis, Gill, Elias Rubio, Eddie Valentino, Eric Hawkins, and Bostic himself were all fugitives.
Guevara was arrested at his home in suburban Forest Park, where police found $100,00 in cash in a hidden compartment during a search of the basement.
Police searched for Bostic at his sister, Tiffany's home on August 12. Davis, who arrived at the home after the police left the premises, fled to Michigan, where he was eventually arrested, upon learning that members of the organization were being sought by police.
Federal marshals arrested Bostic on Friday the 13th, in August, leaving Nigel Odum's home in Villa Park. Bostic's longtime girlfriend, Mahogany Barbee, who was with him at the time, was arrested as well and charged with, and subsequently pleaded guilty to, harboring a fugitive.
On November 3, a federal grand jury returned a 22-count indictment against Bostic, Gill, Hunter, Adams, and 10 other members of the network with intent to distribute and distribution of 1,000 grams or more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin. Adams subsequently pleaded guilty and received a 180-month sentence.
Davis began cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's office on December 22, 2010. Cornelius Thomas and Bagley eventually cooperated with the government as well. Valentino, who also cooperated, was sentenced to 71 months in prison. Bagley was initially sentenced to 235 months in prison after pleading guilty to heroin conspiracy, but his sentence was eventually reduced to 141 months. Richards was sentenced to 184 months in prison. Davis received a 20-year sentence and Guevara was sentenced to 30 years.
On December 21, 2011, Gill pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances.
Bostic's trial was scheduled to begin February 27, 2012, but on February 22, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute a kilogram or more grams of heroin.
On July 9, Gill was sentenced to 329 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. By August, Phelan was incarcerated in Cook County Jail awaiting trial on felony murder and armed robbery charges. During his arrest, he led police on a high-speed chase on the Eisenhower Expressway.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly sentenced Bostic to 38 years in federal prison on August 3, 2012. His sentence called for 10 years of supervised release and the stipulations that he obtain a GED and complete a job skills training program. The judge ordered that he perform 15 hours of community service per week if unemployed for any 60-day period upon his release. Davis, Bagley and Thomas all testified at Bostic's sentencing hearing. The prosecution argued that he was responsible for distributing up to 30 kilograms of heroin from 2009 to 2010. Bostic was represented by attorneys Beau Brindley and Joshua Jones, who argued that he merely arranged transactions between Richards and a wholesale supplier. A local resident, an 83-year-old woman, wrote the judge a letter on Bostic's behalf, which explained that he helped her with her groceries and insisted that other gang members treated her with respect. During the hearing, federal marshals removed several people from the courtroom who they'd witnessed using cellphones to videotape Davis' testimony.
Bostic was transported to USP Pollock (United States Penitentiary, Pollock), a maximum-security federal prison located in Pollock, Louisana. It would be the first prison sentence of his life.
On September 26, 2014, Gill's prison term was reduced from 329 months to 280 months, following a sentencing appeal.
Charles "Maniac" Cowart's murder and armed habitual criminal convictions were reversed on appeal in 2015 when it was established that, among other things, Lee Floyd may have been accidentally killed by another shooter at the 2009 Father's Day barbecue.
The apartment at 4019 West Van Buren Street has since been demolished.
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