How the indictments of 16 alleged gang members could curb crime in Baltimore City

BALTIMORE (WBFF) - The U.S. Attorney’s Office of Maryland indicted 16 people for allegedly being involved with a gang that has gripped the streets of a Baltimore neighborhood for years, peddling drugs, intimidation and even murder at times.

Despite the latest criminal charges of alleged members of the so-called NFL gang, criminal justice experts are weary there will be much difference. Jason Johnson, former deputy commissioner with the Baltimore Police Department and president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, said there are likely more criminal enterprises waiting to move in.

“It is a good thing but in terms of a lasting effect, there probably will be none because there are many other drug organizations in the City of Baltimore that fully prepared to step in to any vacuum that may be created by taking just taking off this one group,” Johnson said.

He described the gangs in Baltimore as different than other cities; he said unlike places where the gangs have identity alliances, in Baltimore City, it’s all about drugs.

“It really is more of a business because it’s more oriented toward drugs and there are many in the city,” he said.

Despite the bleak outlook for a significant improvement to safer streets, Johnson said the indictments will likely have an impact on the fear of criminals, at some point.

“It’s not so much that these 16 people being removed from the streets is going to change things, but to the effect that the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to pursue these kinds cases, and I believe they will, that could have a real effect,” Johnson said. “I think if we see a trend, if we see other RICO cases coming out of Baltimore, there will be a real deter effect that will dissuade others from engaging in this.”

That sentiment was echoed by U.S. Attorney Robert Hur while announcing the indictments during a news conference Thursday.

“We want the community and the entire city to know that we are investigating these types of activities,” Hur said. “This is just one example of how seriously we take it.”

The NFL Gang is named for Normandy, Franklin and Loudon Streets in Edmondson Village. According to the indictment, the suspects allegedly helped keep the gang’s operations running while some were in jail, including by smuggling cell phones and drugs into the prisons.

"When a gang like the 'NFL' enterprise digs in and takes hold the tragedy spreads far and wide," Hur said.

While Johnson said the indictments will likely bring peace of mind to the neighbors in Edmonson Village for now, in order to prevent more illicit activity from flooding back to the streets, federal investigations need to continue; something Hur said his office is dedicating countless hours to doing.

“To anyone who might be thinking in engaging in types of activity like the ones described in the indictment like we described early this week, this is should be a message loud and clear that you will be brought to justice,” Hur said. “It may take time, but you will be brought to justice.”

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