A Tucson gang member, David Kapone Williams, has been sentenced to 335 months in prison after previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity.
Williams’ prison sentence is to be followed by five years of supervised release.
According to the Department of Justice, Williams admitted to being a member of the Western Hills Bloods (WHB) criminal street gang that operated in Tucson. The WHB was an organized group of individuals involved in a pattern of racketeering activity, including narcotics trafficking, possessing firearms, witness intimidation, and committing violent crimes, including murder, on behalf of the gang.
According to court documents, on May 15, 2015, along with other WHB members, David Williams murdered a rival gang member in the parking lot of the La Quinta Hotel near the Tucson International Airport. WHB members also participated in the October 2014 homicide of an individual near Fremont Street in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to the violence, Williams engaged in trafficking narcotics in Tucson, and throughout the United States, on behalf of the WHB.
Several of Williams’ Western Hills Bloods co-defendants were previously sentenced in this case, including:
Marcell Demetrius Gray pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. Gray was sentenced on May 27, 2026, to 335 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Shawmaine Eustace Ardell Moore pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. He was sentenced on Dec. 3, 2025, to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Samuel Lee Berrelle Rakestraw III pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. Rakestraw was sentenced on May 28, 2025, to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Michael Anthony Williams pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. He was sentenced on Mar. 26, 2025, to 262 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Jermaine Lamar Maxwell pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. He was sentenced to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Cliffton Martinez pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Martinez was sentenced on Dec. 7, 2022, to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Labarr Martinez pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. He was sentenced on July 19, 2023, to 50 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
“With Williams’ sentence, this long-fought battle to bring members of the violent Western Hills Bloods to justice finally comes to an end,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “But that doesn’t mean we are anywhere close to ending our mission to bring safety to Tucson’s streets. The persistence of law enforcement and prosecutors in this case should stand as a warning to other gangs and violent offenders out there – we won’t tire in seeking justice.”
“This significant sentence is part of an over ten-year effort to hold members of the Western Hills Bloods, a violent criminal street gang, accountable for their acts of violence and intimidation which they inflicted on the citizens of Tucson,” said A.J. Gibes, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division. “This years-long effort by ATF and our partners with the Tucson Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety is indicative of our unwavering commitment to protecting the public from violent armed offenders and armed drug traffickers.”
Be the first to comment