'Gutter Block Goon' Gang Members Charged In St. Paul Assaults
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Seven men were each charged Tuesday for their roles in three gang-related assaults over the span of two days in downtown St. Paul in January.
The Ramsey County Attorney's office says the defendants are all members of the Gutter Block Goon gang, and all are charged with two counts each of third- and fourth-degree riot, both of which are considered crimes committed for the benefit of a gang: Michael James Jackson, 29; Jesse Jamoni Moore, 23; Rodney Lloyd Johnson, 22; Devon Walter Lee Johnson, 20; Ramon Devon Tolbert, 19, Keanu Antwain Brown, 19; and Donald Maurice McCormick, 19.
The criminal complaint says the first incident happened on the early evening of January 18 on the Central Light Rail platform on Fourth and Cedar streets in downtown St. Paul. A 23-year-old man was assaulted after trying to intervene when he witnessed the suspects beating up another man.
The second incident happened about 24-hours later on the skyway level of the Town Square Building on the 400 block of Cedar Street. Two men were initially walking through the skyway when one of them playfully jumped on the other's back.
The suspects approached the two men, asking one of them if they should beat up the other for jumping on him. As the man declined, he was punched in the head twice by one of the suspects, rendering him temporarily unconscious. The other man was then knocked to ground, and his arm was broken when one of the suspects stepped on him.
St. Paul Police say the Gutter Block Goon gang is a notorious and active gang in the city, and law enforcement has increased the number of officers patrolling downtown streets, skyways and Metro Transit property.
Each suspect could face up to six years in prison if convicted.
