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Date: 04-10-2024
Case Style:
Case Number: 0:23-cr-00160
Judge: Nancy E. Brasel
Court: The United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (Hennepin County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis
Defendant's Attorney: Frederick J. Goetz
Description:
Highs Gang Member Sentenced to 19.5 Years in Prison for RICO Conspiracy
Montez Brown, aka “Tez Blood,” was sentenced to 235 months in prison for his criminal conduct, including attempted murder, narcotics trafficking, and possession of a machine gun, as a member of the Minneapolis Highs gang.
“We are addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “Minneapolis gangs have caused a staggering amount of damage to the community through retaliatory shootings, narcotics trafficking, and other illicit activity. Individuals who choose to fuel violence and destruction on behalf of a criminal enterprise such as this will be held accountable under federal law.”
Brown, 32, was a well-respected member and high-level fentanyl trafficker for the Highs gang, a criminal enterprise engaged in a years-long pattern of racketeering activity, including murder, robbery, and trafficking and distribution of controlled substances. Operating on the north side of Minneapolis since 2004, the Highs congregate at businesses and residences located at or near the West Broadway Avenue and Lyndale Avenue North intersection. The Highs have a stranglehold on this area and members do not hesitate to flaunt their illegal activities openly.
Prospective Highs members prove their loyalty to the gang by “putting in work,” i.e., committing acts of violence for the benefit of the gang or offering other benefits such as introducing a source for drugs or firearms. Members of the Highs are expected to “hunt” rival gang members: an express directive to locate and kill rivals. Highs members frequently take to social media to taunt rivals, glorify gang life, and post images of themselves with cash, drugs, and firearms.
To date, thirteen members and associates of the Highs have pleaded guilty and five have been sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy E. Brasel.
These cases are the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, DEA, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley, Jordan L. Sing, and Albania Concepcion for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the cases.
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Defendant's Experts:
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