Feds bust northwest Detroit street gang Band Crew

Detroit — A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday alleges eight members of a northwest Detroit gang terrorized a neighborhood near Seven Mile and Southfield Freeway and were involved in attempted murders, shootings and drug deals and robbed area gas stations.

Members of the Band Crew took over parts of northwest Detroit during an alleged four-year reign of terror starting in 2011, robbing stores and homes, shooting rivals and threatening witnesses, according to the 28-page indictment.

The racketeering case is the latest crackdown on organized crime in Detroit, following indictments of members of the Vice Lords gang last month and street gang Related Through Money last spring.

Band Crew’s graffiti, which covered buildings in and around Seven Mile and across the gang’s territory, bordered by Eight Mile to the north, West McNichols to the south, Southfield Freeway to the west and Greenfield to the east.

The gang was active on social media, posting fight videos on YouTube and bragging about accomplishments on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, according to the indictment.

Eight alleged gang members charged in the indictment are from Detroit.

They are:

■Corey DeAndre Mapp, 22, aka CEO Corey, aka Lil Corey

■Alexander Teontae Johnson, 20, aka CEO Gwopp

■Leo James Johnson, 20, aka Bam

■Joseph Hezekiah Ford, 19, aka Co-CEO Joesky

■Travontae Javon Joseph, 19, aka CEO Trick

■Jamell Loval Smith, 19, aka CEO Mel

■Mario Perkins, 18, aka Rio

■Akeem Arteaze Walker, 19, aka Keem

All eight are in custody. Walker was arraigned Tuesday and ordered held without bond until at least Thursday.

Band Crew was a group made up of smaller gangs, including Constantly Making Hundreds, Youn N Crispy, Pushit Boy Family and Family Over Everything Love is Forever.

The gang formed in November 2011 at a Burger King restaurant at Seven Mile and Greenfield, the indictment reads.

In following days and months, members repeatedly targeted a nearby BP gas station, stealing items, damaging property and robbing an attendant at gunpoint, the grand jury alleged.

Mapp is accused of breaking into a home in the 18000 block of St. Mary’s Street and using a gun to threaten a witness.

In November 2012, Mapp and a second member allegedly shot a rival gang member in the chest. The member, identified as Y.B., survived the shooting.

rsnell@detroitnews.com

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