Twenty alleged violent gang members, who sold heroin and more in Newburgh, and protected their scheme with shootings, were charged following an FBI investigation.

On Thursday, an indictment unsealed in Southern District of New York court charged 20 defendants with various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses in connection with a street gang known as “Southside,” in Newburgh.

“The defendants, members of the Southside gang, allegedly pumped dangerous drugs into their community and controlled their Newburgh neighborhoods with violence,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim stated. “Some of the defendants allegedly protected their drug territory with shootings.”

As alleged in the indictment, from at least 2014 through June 2017, Skylar Davis, Ardae Hines, Davonte Hawkins, Michael Simmons, Demetrice Mclean, Christopher Davis, Diamante Frazier, Ditavious Williams, Donte Nugent and Calvin Lembhard, were all members of the Southside gang, whose territory centered around the intersection of South Street and Chambers Street in an area of Newburgh.

In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members engaged in, narcotics trafficking, robbery and acts involving murder.

Southside members sold heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana, promoted their gang affiliation on social media, possessed firearms and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership, officials say.

One shooting took place on Dec. 11, 2015 when Davis alleged shot a car containing members of a rival gang, the Yellow Tape Money Gang.

Several members of the Southside gang also participated in conspiracies to distribute narcotics in and around Newburgh.

Hines, Frazier, Williams, Donte Nugent and Branch conspired with William Fenell, Davante Nugent, Wilfredo Ruiz and Robert Zuchowski to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and/or more than 280 grams of crack cocaine during a five year period, officials say.

Tevon Adams, Dwight Mccardle, Tristan Hilgers, Seth Blain and Kyle Blain are accused of selling over 100 grams of heroin and/or more than 28 grams of crack cocaine.

Hines and Christopher Davis allegedly participated in separate conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine during a three year period.

Eighteen were taken into federal custody. Michael Simmons and Dwight Mcardle remain at large.

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