Sixteen alleged members and affiliates of a deadly Houston gang are facing multiple federal counts, including drug trafficking conspiracy and firearms offenses.
Accused Houston gang members face federal charges
A federal grand jury indicted six accused YNS gang members and affiliates, while ten more are charged in federal criminal proceedings. All 16 defendants appeared in federal court before US Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo.
The alleged members named by the US Attorney’s Office include:
- Jocquez Frye, 18
- Darrell Sampson, 18
- Jacob Barrett, 18
- Kristian Winters, 18
- Jaquan McClendon, 19
- Ledanyan Bennett, 19
- Triwayne Davison, 20
- Donfarius Holmes, 24
- Javonte Hoyle, 28
- Will Clark, 28
- Xzaveon Francis, 28
- Haven Duncan, 29
- Monterio Whitfield, 30
- Alex Davison, 32
- Jason Pittman, 34
- William Nolan-Waddell, 34
Alleged operations and armed robberies
During detention hearings, prosecutors asserted that YNS operates as a violent gang in Houston’s Greenspoint neighborhood. The organization was allegedly involved in homicides, assaults, house invasions, burglaries, and drug and firearm trafficking. According to investigators, one of the alleged members, Frye, is suspected of carjacking a former Houston Texans player at his home.
Evidence provided included social media posts and videos of members showing firearms with machine-gun conversion devices, attacking a rival gang member, and threatening competitors outside their houses. Other posts and texts shown to the court purportedly depicted members discussing previous and future crimes.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, the suspected members intended to rob a potential narcotics stash house with 42 kilograms of cocaine. According to investigators, several members met with a confidential informant on July 23 before arriving at the residence with firearms and dressed in black, including masks and gloves.
Prosecutors claim Sampson, Barrett, and Winters were planning a different armed robbery when they were arrested on September 23. The three are accused of plotting to rob someone at gunpoint following what they believed would be a large-scale drug transaction.
In a separate hearing for Holmes, Duncan, Pittman, Bennett, Davison, Whitfield, Nolan-Waddell, Hoyle, Clark, and Francis, authorities presented evidence that they allegedly planned to transport 50 kilograms of cocaine before robbing the victim. When they were caught, investigators discovered weapons, zip ties, and gloves.
If all 16 suspected YNS members are convicted, they could face up to life in jail and a fine of $250,000.
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