MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Four members of the Dixie Homes Murda Gang/47 Neighborhood Crips have been indicted on drug-trafficking charges Thursday.
According to reports, 32-year-old Steve Nelson was allegedly directing the narcotics trafficking organization while incarcerated at 201 Poplar.
David Freeman, 20, James Halls, 36, and Anthony Jackson, 28, were also listed in the indictment.
A fifth person indicted, Tonasha Liggins, was the mother of one of the gang members.
She was reportedly involved in the sale of three pounds of marijuana.
The indictments returned said the four gang members were going to sell more than 13 pounds of marijuana right next to J.W. Williams Elementary School.
The charges stemmed from a Multi-Agency Gang Unit investigation from February 7, 2014 to June 2015 in the Safety Zone.
Last October a court injunction declared the gang a public nuisance and banned gang members from congregating within the Safety Zone.
That zone extended from I-240 on the east, Jackson Avenue on the north, North Danny Thomas on the west and Poplar Avenue to the south.
All four members of the gang indicted are in police custody on bonds of $100,000 each.
Liggins, who is not an alleged gang member, was released after paying her $55,000 bond.
Violent drug dealers run these streets according to police sources. Trap houses are scattered throughout the neighborhoods. It’s why back in October the DA set in place a so called gang injunction safety zone. Basically it means they can arrest gang members seen walking together. And if you ask them it’s working.
Vince Higgins is with the DA’s office. He said, “This investigation went beyond that. It went beyond street level and is pointing to larger conspirators.”
Steve Nelson, David Freeman, James Hall and Anthony Nelson are all behind bars. Freeman’s Mom Tonasha Liggins was also indicted.
These men are known gang members and their rap sheets are lengthy. From drug distribution, to felony gun charges to attempted first degree murder.
The DAs office tells WREG they are all being held on 100-thousand dollars bail.
Last thursday the multi agency gang unit swarmed Dunlap and Lane looking to serve a warrant for Jackson who is now behind bars. They brought out snipers and military vehicles, but didn’t catch him that day. His aunt told us gangs have a strong presence in this neighborhood.
Jacqueline Anderson explained, “I agree with what the police are doing. They have a job to do.”
Sources on the force tell WREG these sweeps net the low level guys, and the dealers just recruit new members luring them with cars, clothes and money. But the DA’s office insists their making progress by going after high ranking gang members in the drug trade, who work in the shadows of the medical district.
Higgins added, “We are not talking about ounces we are talking about pounds. These are major distributors.”
He has this message for the folks in this area frustrated by what appears to be a lack of action on the streets.
“These types of investigations require some level of undercover. Some level of unmarked units doing their work. Good detective work doesn’t always come in a uniform.”
People WREG talked to Thursday say these streets are far from safe, but they are glad to see progress. The folks in the DA’s office say don’t stop reporting suspicious behavior! It helps them build their cases and get into the drug houses and make real arrests like they did this week.