Executive Summary
- Twenty-one alleged members of the “Kiccdoe” street gang were arrested in a coordinated raid by the FBI and Arlington Police.
- The individuals face federal RICO conspiracy charges, with some also facing drug and weapons possession charges.
- Authorities state the gang is responsible for numerous violent crimes, including homicides, shootings, and sexual assault.
- The arrests are the result of a multi-year investigation into the group’s activities across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Twenty-one alleged members of a street gang known as “Kiccdoe” were arrested across North Texas on Thursday in a coordinated operation led by the Arlington Police Department and the FBI. The individuals, ranging in age from 18 to 23, face federal charges in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) conspiracy, with several also facing related drug and weapons charges for a series of alleged violent crimes.
Multi-Agency Operation
The arrests were the culmination of a multi-year investigation involving approximately 450 law enforcement officers. According to FBI Dallas Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Wright, federal and local teams executed search warrants in Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and Forney. The operation resulted in the seizure of unspecified quantities of weapons, drugs, and money.
“Do not let the ages distract from the havoc that they’ve inflicted upon our community,” Wright stated at a news conference. “These gang members allegedly use violence and intimidation to protect our territory and profits. They instilled fear in their victims and took revenge on their rivals.”
A History of Alleged Violence
Officials have linked the group to numerous violent acts, including drive-by shootings, homicides, armed robberies, and an aggravated sexual assault of a child. Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said his department has documented 180 separate criminal incidents involving Kiccdoe members in Arlington alone since January 2022. Jones specifically cited a deadly shooting at Bowie High School last year and another incident where a teenage girl was injured by stray gunfire as crimes allegedly connected to the gang.
“Our violent crime unit and our gang specialists have investigated numerous cases involving this group and have been closely monitoring their activity,” said Chief Jones. “Our city is safer with these suspects off the street, and I hope our community can rest a little easier tonight knowing that.”
The Accused
The 21 individuals arrested and charged include: Lamarion Austin, Cortez Atkinson, Keyshawn Burton, Jaylen Franklin, Joseph Hill, Bradley McArthur, Jamarion Manogin, Michael Mensah, Kyron Oates, Dillen Opare, Raphael Opare, Chauncey Ross, Blake Scott, Marcus Shaw, Jakyla Totten, Datraven Warren, DeMarco Westmoreland, Isaiah Wiley, Sir James Mack Williams, Sadedrick Wilson, and Vernell Woods. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out further charges or arrests. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.