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BGF Leader Sentenced To 10 Years In Baltimore Jail Racketeering

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Sentencing for members of the Black Guerrilla Family gang continues at the federal courthouse.

This week, a 24-year-old inmate was handed  a 121 month sentence for his part in smuggling drugs into the Baltimore City jail and selling it for profit.

Rochelle Ritchie has more on the gang member and how the feds continue to dismantle the organization.

One by one, the feds say they are taking down members of the BGF -- those that have already been charged and those they have their eye on right now.

Federal prosecutors continue to crack down on members of the Black Guerrilla Family gang they say ran a lucrative drug smuggling operation at the Baltimore City Detention Center and on the streets.

"This conspiracy effectively resulted in BGF inmates running various aspects of this institution," said Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein.

The most recent sentence was handed down to 24-year-old Jamar Anderson, who will spend the next ten years behind bars.

Anderson is just one of 24 sentences already handed down since the BGF drug dealings were exposed in 2013.

"The conspiracy involved the importation of drugs, cell phones and other contraband into the jail. It involved having sexual relationships with the guards, paying off their guards," Rosenstein said.

BGF's violent rampage on the streets of Baltimore instilled fear in residents.

"I walk my dogs and I take my butt in the house," one man said.

A heavy federal state and local crackdown led to police raids across the city, resulting in the arrest of several gang associates and members -- like Maurice Hill -- a registered member of the BGF.

While the feds are certainly investigating the whereabouts and criminal activity of the gang, sometimes the arrested gang members assist.

Ritchie: "On the streets you hear a lot from these gang members about being loyal to one another. Does that loyalty change once they get in front of an attorney?"

Rosenstein: "They quickly recognize their only way out is to cooperate and provide information about their co-conspirators."

Much of the bloodshed on city streets a year ago was attributed to the BGF. With the homicide rate down slightly, the police commissioner says it's an indication the gang is weakening.

"We have taken out a lot of their leadership and we will continue to take their leadership on," said Commissioner Anthony Batts, Baltimore City Police Department.

Twenty more defendants are left to face a judge, including 14 correctional officers.

Trials for the remaining defendants are set to begin in November.

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