Raleigh Crip gangster sentenced in racketeering, trafficking case
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A Raleigh gang member has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for his involvement in a racketeering-related violence and drug trafficking operation.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Michael Easley, reported that in 2021 Dexter Maxwell pled guilty to distributing of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and violent crimes in aid of racketeering for conspiring to kill a rival Eight Trey Gangster Crip.
Maxwell was identified as the leader of ETGC throughout the North and South Carolina with direct ties to gang hierarchy in Los Angeles, California.
“We are dismantling violent gang and drug traffickers across North Carolina with our expansive network of law enforcement partners. Maxwell was a well-known gang leader in the Carolinas who directed violence around Raleigh, while trafficking narcotics that fueled addiction throughout the region,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This operation brings an end to Maxwell’s racketeering enterprise and dismantles his network, with over 20 co-conspirators convicted, and their leader spending the next 24 years in federal prison.”
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According to court documents and other information presented in court, Deandre Earp was tased and assaulted by a rival gang member in Raleigh in July 2019. Earp then coordinated with Maxwell and others to retaliate by planning a murder of the rival gang member. While on their way to commit the murder, Raleigh Police Department officers pulled them over. Loaded guns were found in the care and police were able to stop the potential murder of a rival Crip gang member.
“Drug trafficking networks bring serious threats to a community, including gun violence,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “To address that threat, ATF partners with local, state and other federal agencies to tackle this problem from every direction. When we remove the individuals leading gangs and drug trafficking networks from our communities, we can have a major impact on the level of gun violence and violent crime.”
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Prosecutors say Maxwell was well-connected and conspired with Troy Davis, a high-ranking ETGC member from Los Angeles, to acquire large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to distribute throughout the Raleigh area. Maxwell was responsible for overseeing the distribution operation and collecting drug proceeds to funnel back to California.
ETGC has operated in North Carolina for two decades. They are recognized as a national criminal street gang originating out of Los Angeles.
Maxwell has a lengthy, violent criminal history which had resulted in his rise to leadership and connection with ETGC leadership in Los Angeles.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation. More than 20 individuals have been indicted because of this investigation, including Troy Davis, who was sentenced in November 2022 to 35 years in prison.
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