Knox County prosecutors charged six people in a conspiracy to sell more than 150 grams of heroin within 1,000 feet of school property.
A Friday news release from Knox County Attorney General Charme Allen said the five men facing a slew of charges are fellow gang members and await trial. One woman, who is not charged as a member of the gang, also awaits trial.
The case marks the first time Knox County prosecutors charged someone with the state’s Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute.
Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch explained during Friday’s news conference why Allen used the state RICO statute, instead of charging the six gang members at the federal level.
“We felt that the state system with utilizing the state RICO, we felt that it was going to be the most impactful in terms of what we'll be able to bring upon those who are engaged in this activity,” Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch said.
It’s also the first time the state has used the RICO statute to charge members of a gang.
This means that they are defined as a corrupt, underground organization financed by unlawfully distributing heroin.
"They have oaths they take, they have a mission statement, they pay dues, they are a very organized group," said Sean McDermott, Assistant District Attorney General.
“Our morgue is full of bodies of children, of adults who have fallen prey of the heroin epidemic,” Allen said.
More than 140 people have died from suspected overdoses in Knox County since the beginning of the year, according to the release from Allen. This is double the number of deaths for the entire year of 2015, which was 70.
“So many families in our city have been affected by the drug epidemic and by gang activity,” Allen said Friday afternoon.
Knox County Criminal Court documents state from January 2015 to July 2016 the six defendants knowingly agreed and conspired with one another.
“At least one overt act of the conspiracy occurred within 1,000 feet of the real property that comprises a school, with each defendant having the culpable mental state required for the commission of the offense,” the court documents state.
Allen said the five men are among about 107 members of the particular Knox County-based gang.
Abraham James Owens, 34, aka “Brickz” is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and deliver more than 150 grams of heroin in a drug-free zone, possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin in a drug-free zone, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, unlawful possession of a firearm, a RICO violation and criminal gang enhancement.
Daton Darrell Matthews, 21, aka “D” is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and deliver more than 150 grams of heroin in a drug-free zone, possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin in a drug-free zone, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, a RICO violation and criminal gang enhancement.
Deshawn Marques Matthews, 19, aka “Shawn Doe” is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and deliver more than 150 grams of heroin in a drug-free zone, a RICO violation and criminal gang enhancement.
Bernard D. Malone, 26, aka “Fish Bone” is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and deliver more than 150 grams of heroin in a drug-free zone, a RICO violation and criminal gang enhancement.
Jaidarius Deshawn Prigmore, 20, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and deliver more than 150 grams of heroin in a drug-free zone, a RICO violation and criminal gang enhancement.
Jeanesha Marie Chandler, 21, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and deliver more than 150 grams of heroin in a drug-free zone and a RICO violation.
Authorities are holding all six on $250,000 bond each.
Allen’s office, KPD, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted the joint investigation.