A Connecticut man pleaded guilty on Monday to a racketeering offense stemming from his role in a violent New Haven street gang.
According to court documents, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA, and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city.
The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven.
Read: Michigan Woman Who Shot At Federal Agents Gets 7 Years In Prison
Recently, younger members of Exit 8 have identified themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020, according to the DOJ.
The investigation revealed that 25-year-old Samuel Douglas, also known as “Blamm,” and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders.
Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence.
Officials say Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Read: Rhode Island Woman Arrested In Florida After Smashing Beer Bottle On Elderly Man’s Head
Douglas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that on June 16, 2018, he and another Exit 8 member shot at and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang in the area of Fountain Street, Davis Street, and Lakeview Terrace in New Haven. In the shooting, the intended victim’s associate suffered seven gunshot wounds, but survived the attack. Investigators found 15 spent ammunition casings at the scene.
Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for August 6, at which time Douglas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is currently detained.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.