Gangster Disciples
 Gangster Disciples logo | |
| Founded by | Larry Hoover |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Years active | Late 1960s – present |
| Territory | Various |
| Ethnicity | Mostly African American |
| Membership | 60,000 – 75,000 (Nationwide) [1] |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, murder, prostitution |
| Allies | Folk Nation, Crips, 18th Street Gang, Black Guerrilla Family, Los Zetas |
| Rivals | People Nation, Vice Lords, Black Disciples (associated with rivals), Latin Kings, Black P. Stones, Four Corner Hustlers |
The Gangster Disciples is a criminal gang which was formed on the South-side of Chicago in the late 1960s, by Larry Hoover, leader of the High Supreme Gangsters, and David Barksdale, leader of the Black Disciples. The two groups united to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation (BGDN).
Gangster Disciples in the military
On July 3, 2005, gang members from Gangster Disciples killed Sergeant Juwan Johnson of the U.S. Army in the small town of Hohenecken near Ramstein, Germany. Prosecutors accused Airman Rico Williams of throwing the first punch in a six-minute beating that Sergeant Johnson had to endure to join the gang. When Sergeant Johnson asked one of his fellow gang members to take him to the hospital, Williams was then consulted and ordered that gang member to not take him there. Sergeant Johnson later died from multiple blunt-force trauma. According to the government's investigations, Airman Rico Williams was the leader of the gang. Airman Rico Williams was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while other servicemen faced other sentences ranging from 2 to 12 years in prison. Some of charges against the servicemen were; Airman Rico Williams charged of second degree murder, and witness tampering, Airman Jerome Jones charged with conspiracy to commit assault, gang participation, and other charges, Airman Nicholas Sims and Army Sergeant Rodney Howell were charged with involuntary manslaughter, Private Terrance Norman was charged with voluntary manslaughter.[2][3][4]
Colors and apparel
Gangster Disciples "represent" with the colors blue and black. Gang members are known to wear Georgetown Hoyas or Duke Blue Devils clothing. Sometimes they will wear Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and other teams' clothing from their original city though they do not always match colors. They are also represented by a black flag (bandana)
Six pointed star
The predominant symbol this criminal gang makes use of is the six-pointed Star of David (✡). The symbol pays homage to founder David Barksdale. Each of six points has its meaning: love, life, loyalty, knowledge, unity and understanding.[5]
References
- ↑ "National Gang Threat Assessment 2009". National Gang Intelligence Center. January 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ "Airman convicted of murder in 2005 Gangster Disciples initiation death". stripes.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Former Air Force Airman Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison For Murder of Army Sergeant in Germany". justice.gov. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Rico Williams sentenced to 22 years in 2005 slaying". wjla.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ http://cryptome.org/gangs/gangster.pdf
External links
- FBI file on the Gangster Disciples
- Gang Threat Analysis: The Black Disciples
- National Drug Intelligence Center document on the Vice Lords