MINNEAPOLIS — In a news conference at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Attorney Andy Luger announced charges against 14 alleged gang members or associates of the Highs gang in north Minneapolis as part of an ongoing violent crime strategy.
Luger said 11 are charged with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) conspiracy and fentanyl trafficking offenses. Another alleged gang member is charged with kidnapping and assault "on behalf of the Highs during a carjacking," Luger announced. "Two of the fourteen defendants are based in Arizona and are charged as suppliers of fentanyl to the Highs."
Luger said the two alleged suppliers furnished the Highs gang with fentanyl by mail and by alleged gang members taking roundtrip flights to Arizona.
Since the start of May, Luger said his office has charged 73 alleged gang members and associates as part of their federal violent crime strategy.
By using RICO, the feds can establish that gang members are involved in a criminal enterprise, and members can all be prosecuted together instead of one crime at a time. RICO was created in 1970 in an attempt to bring down the Mafia.
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