Alleged Minneapolis gang member found guilty of several federal firearm charges
Clenest Wells Jr. was found guilty of three counts of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun.
Wells was one of 14 alleged gang members charged in an August 2023 crackdown that was a collaboration between local and federal authorities. At least four of the 14 charged have been sentenced in the crackdown.
Authorities say the charges included members of the Lows, Highs, Bloods and 10z/20z gangs.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said the arrests were part of an overall effort ot reduce gun violence in the city.
"We will not allow a small group of violent gang members to continue to terrorize our neighbors," he said when charges were announced.
That was the second significant move against Minneapolis gangs in 2023. In May that year, authorities announced Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act charges against 45 alleged gang members.
Wells' sentencing hearing has not been scheduled yet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Leader of notorious Mass. gang sentenced to prison following decade of violence
A 26-year-old former leader of a notorious Massachusetts gang known for a decade of bloodshed was sentenced to prison Wednesday. Aaron Diaz Liranzo, also known as 'Sosa,' was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Nathaniel M. Gorton to 14 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Diaz Liranzo was arrested and charged in February when authorities said he was the leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios gang. He pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy, or conspiring to participate in criminal operations in a pattern of illegal activity, in March. He was one of at least 22 active gang members who were charged with state or federal crimes earlier this year. He was the sixth gang member charged to plead guilty. The charges stem from a slew of organized criminal activities in Massachusetts over the past decade, including the murders of six people and the attempted killings of 11 others. In February, officials called the indictments a 'significant blow' to the criminal enterprise. Diaz Liranzo was the leader of the Lynn Chapter from at least 2021 until 2025, called 'the Primera' or 'Number One,' according to the U.S. District Attorney's Office. The 26-year-old admitted to participating in a shooting outside of a Lynn nightclub in March 2019, where he shot at three people inside a car, the office said. Two people were severely injured, though both survived. The shooting was planned to target rival gang members and the victims were lured there by another gang member who 'posed as a woman who needed a ride,' the district attorney's office said. Massachusetts Trinitarios have committed multiple homicides in Essex County over the past decade and are believed to be responsible for numerous attempted murders, shootings, kidnappings and robberies, the district attorney's office said. More News Mass. beach closures: Here are the beaches closed on Thursday, July 17 GoFundMe campaigns set up for family of Fall River man killed in police shooting Social Security implementing big change this fall. Here's how benefits will be affected Springfield weekend homicide victim identified as 35-year-old resident Fall River funeral home offers free services for Gabriel House fire victims Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Aussie drivers slapped with $500,000 in fines
Drivers in a major Aussie city have been slapped with more than $500,000 in fines after outraged motorists dobbed them in to police using a new online reporting system. Source: ACT Policing
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
New road rules move sees Aussie drivers slapped with $500,000 in fines
Drivers in a major Aussie city have been slapped with more than $500,000 in fines after outraged motorists dobbed them in with the help of dashcam footage. Like NSW and Queensland, the ACT offers an online portal for residents to report various non-urgent incidents to police, with the service expanding last year to allow the submission of traffic offences caught on camera. And the move appears to have paid off, with authorities receiving more than 1,800 reports from July, 2024 until June, leading officers to issue more than 1,100 infringements. Another 250 drivers copped a warning. Speaking to Yahoo News on Friday, a spokesperson for ACT Policing revealed most drivers caught on camera were busted for traffic light offences — mainly failing to stop for a red light — which carries a $552 penalty. The 'dangerous and selfish' act places everyone on the road at 'significant risk', Detective acting Inspector Sean Evans said, urging those behind the wheel to 'slow down and be patient'. 'The longest you'll wait for a green light in Canberra is approximately a minute and a half,' he explained. Numerous motorists were also fined for driving without due care, negligent driving, and overtaking violations, with police releasing shocking clips of the offences. The footage shows a large truck crossing multiple lanes at great speed before almost colliding with a motorist, and various other cars suddenly swerving in front of trailing vehicles. Warning to drivers breaking road rules: 'Dangerous' The spokesperson for ACT Policing told Yahoo the online reporting system is 'an added measure of accountability for drivers', alongside police patrols and cameras. 'Police may not catch you running a red light, but the car behind you may, and if there's video evidence, you can then be issued an infringement,' they said. 'Police can't be everywhere, all the time. And this system allows other drivers — where they see dangerous driving occurring — to report it to police in a simple and convenient way.' Driver's photo sparks $400 warning over little-known road rule Calls to review driver's licence requirements for older Aussies Massive change on roads after new Aussie speed cameras rolled out To report a driver, you must be able to provide video or photographic evidence of the offence you witnessed when requested by ACT Policing. The complainant may also be required to provide a formal witness statement and attend court to confirm the information. Earlier this year, ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said the electronic service had freed up resources, allowing officers to focus on more time-sensitive matters. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
