Ten more alleged Minneapolis gang members face federal charges in violent crime crackdown

MINNEAPOLIS — Federal and state authorities in Minnesota announced charges Tuesday against 10 alleged gang members.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said members of a south Minneapolis gang face federal gun and drug charges.

“Recently, gang investigators from the Minneapolis Police Department, working with the FBI, brought to our attention that members of the 10z/20z gang were seeking to re-emerge in south Minneapolis after a period of less activity.” , Luger said. “It immediately became a priority for law enforcement and our office to file charges quickly to ensure that the 10z/20z cannot re-emerge and are not able to increase violence in Minneapolis this summer.”

The new fees are part of a crusade started two years ago by federal and local authorities, who gave rise to charges for more than 70 people so far, Luger said.

“Much of the violence they commit against our residents can be directly attributed to actions related to the distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics, the illegal possession of firearms, and the general terrorizing of our community,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said.

Authorities recovered “significant quantities” of several drugs, including fentanyl, during the arrest of the suspected gang members, O'Hara said. In addition, authorities seized 13 illegal weapons, including one equipped with a autofill to increase its rate of fire.

The 10z/20z gang operates primarily in the Ventura Village neighborhood of Minneapolis, authorities said, particularly near Peavey Park.

Luger says it was members of the Minneapolis Police Department's gang unit who brought the 10z/20z resurgence to his attention. Working with the FBI, they were able to quickly identify the members.

“This group has been the subject of numerous prior investigations by law enforcement,” O’Hara said. “Many of its members have already been convicted of federal offenses. And, as with previous arrests, they are among the worst of the worst.”

Luger says the alleged gang members are not charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says it will continue to focus its resources on investigating and prosecuting those who threaten the safety of innocent citizens.