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Gang Violence
THE "2-1 FATAL GANG"
Prosecutor Brizzi filed charged against four members of the "2-1 FATAL" gang in connection with a 2005 fire that destroyed a house in the 700 block of Terrace Avenue. The gang members allegedly set the fire to prevent an African-American family from moving in, though that was not the case. The fire spread to several other houses in the block.
Dennis Craig is charged with conspiracy to commit arson, five counts of arson and criminal gang activity. He is scheduled to go to trial October 30.
Three other gang members, Michael Litel, James Holwager and Doris Litel, have pled guilty. Michael Litel and Holwager pled to charges of conspiracy to commit arson and criminal gang activity, while Doris Litel pled to a charge of arson. All three are scheduled to be sentenced November 9.
THE "GET MONEY CLIQUE"
Prosecutor Brizzi filed charges against six young adults known as the "Get Money Clique." Each young man was charged with several counts of robbery, criminal confinement and conspiracy to commit robbery in a series of hold-ups that took place in December 2002. The young men were recruited from area high schools.
All six pled guilty and were sentenced. Five of the six went to prison, with the other receiving a suspended sentence.
VERTICAL PROSECUTION OF GANGS
Prosecutor Brizzi has assigned deputy prosecutor Steve Parnell to work full-time with Marion County law enforcement agencies during the court of initial investigations involving gangs. This kind of vertical prosecution is highly successful because it helps build strong cases that are handled by one prosecutor and detective throughout the case.
Vertical prosecution is especially useful in gang investigations where witnesses are reluctant to testify, and the cases require early and consistent involvement in the investigation.
To utilize all available tools, Parnell has moved to the Grand Jury Division to assist in building strong cases. Our office is working hand-in-hand with federal partners to attack criminal gang enterprises.
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