Syracuse Gang Member Arrested and Charged with Conspiring to Engage in Racketeering Activity

Syracuse's Northern District U.S. Attorney's office announced the arrest and arraignment of 20-year-old Anthony Huddleston, a member of the Bricktown Gang, on charges of conspiring to exploit his membership in the gang to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity. This includes multiple acts of murder, drug trafficking, and robbery. The indictment alleges that the gang has operated within the city from at least 2000 to the present. Huddleston is the 14th gang defendant charged in this case, with three defendants having already pled guilty and the charges against Huddleston and ten others remaining pending. The indictment outlines the gang's violent operations, including maintaining an exclusive crack distribution territory, using violence to protect it, and employing hand signs, blue-colored bandanas, and tattoos to signify membership.

Key Takeaways:

• Anthony Huddleston, 20, was arrested and arraigned on charges of conspiring to engage in racketeering activity as a member of the Bricktown Gang.
• The indictment alleges that the gang has operated within the city of Syracuse from at least 2000 to the present.
• Ten others are still pending charges, and three defendants have already pled guilty.
• The gang's violent activities include maintaining an exclusive crack distribution territory, using violence to protect it, and employing hand signs, blue-colored bandanas, and tattoos to signify membership.
• Multiple acts of violence and drug distribution are alleged in the indictment, including 2 instances of knife violence, 2 murders, 8 other shootings, 7 other acts of gun possession, 12 acts of crack distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute crack, and a major gang assault.
• Huddleston faces up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release following any period of incarceration.
• The investigation was a result of a long-term investigation conducted by the Syracuse Gang Violence Task Force.

Statistics:

• The indictment alleges 2 instances of knife violence, 2 murders, 8 other shootings, 7 other acts of gun possession, 12 acts of crack distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute crack, and a major gang assault.
• The gang has operated within the city of Syracuse from at least 2000 to the present.
• Thirteen defendants have been charged in the racketeering case, with three having already pled guilty.
• Huddleston faces up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.

Sources:

1. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York news release (date not specified)