21 gang members arrested in Texas for alleged violent crimes, officials say

More than 20 Kiccdoe gang members accused of violent crimes in Texas were arrested last week, according to Arlington police and the FBI.

According to FOX 4, FBI Dallas Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Wright said law enforcement officers executed search warrants in several cities, including Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Mansfield and Forney. Police also seized weapons, drugs and money.

Authorities detained 21 known members of the Kiccdoe gang and charged them with RICO, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization conspiracy.

Some suspects are accused of drugs and weapons, among other crimes, while others are accused of murder and sexual assault.

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“Charges include murder, drug trafficking, assault, burglary, and even aggravated sexual assault of a child,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote to X. “This was a multi-agency effort of more than 450 local and federal law enforcement personnel to investigate, intercept and clean up the violence in Arlington.”

If convicted of the federal charges, many of the suspects face sentences of 20 years to life in prison.

The arrested suspects include 22-year-old Blake Scott, 21-year-old Bradly McArthur, 18-year-old Cortez Atkinson, 18-year-old Datraven Warren, 19-year-old DeMarco Westmoreland, 20-year-old Dillen Opare, 19-year-old Raphael Opare, 21-year-old Isaiah Wiley and 19-year-old. Jakyla Totten, 20-year-old Jamarion Manogin, 22-year-old Jaylen Franklin, 18-year-old Joseph Hill, 22-year-old Kyron Oates, 18-year-old Michael Mensah, 21-year-old Lamarion Austin, 20-year-old Marcus Shaw, 21-year-old Sadedrick Wilson, 19-year-old Vernell Woods, 21-year-old Sir James Mack Williams, 22-year-old Chauncey Ross and 20-year-old Keyshawn Burton.

“Don’t let the past distract us from the devastation it has wreaked on our society,” Wright said. “These gang members allegedly used violence and intimidation to protect our territory and profits. They instilled fear in their victims and took revenge on their rivals.”

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Some of the suspects were accused of murder and sexual assault. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

“Kiccdoe members are allegedly responsible for drive-by shootings, numerous attempted murders, and even murders,” he continued. “They are also alleged to have been involved in organized crime, drug trafficking, weapons possession, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, armed robbery, resisting arrest, assault on a public official, and aggravated sexual assault of a child.”

Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said the gang is responsible for most violent crime in the city and asked for help from the local FBI field office last year, FOX 4 reported.

“Our violent crime unit and gang experts have investigated numerous cases involving this group and have been closely monitoring their activities since January 2022,” he said. “We have documented 180 criminal incidents involving Kicdoe members. These include aggravated assaults, robberies, burglaries, shootings and drug crimes. These are right within the city of Arlington.”

Law enforcement officers executed search warrants in Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Mansfield and Forney. (Getty Images)

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Jones said he hopes the arrests send a message and help keep the community safe.

“Our city is safer with suspects off the streets, and I hope our community feels a little more comfortable tonight knowing that. I also hope we have proven to them that we will not tolerate violence in our community, and we will do everything we can to stop it,” he said.

Arlington police and the FBI said their joint operations will continue.