YOUNGSTOWN Gang arrests bring a mix of reactions

Nearly all the defendants have been released from custody.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tina Webster says her three sons don't even hang together so how could they be gang members?
"It's a bunch of crap," Webster said Wednesday from her porch on East Lucius Avenue. "They did stuff when they were younger, but it was little stuff, no shootings."
Webster's sons -- Johnathan Dent, 15, and 17-year-old twins Lewer and Levert Dent -- are among those charged in Mahoning County Juvenile Court with participation in a criminal gang. Police said the boys are members of the L Unit.
"Just because you know somebody doesn't make you a gang member," Webster said. "It has to be rough for them growing up."
The 47-year-old single mother works full time. She acknowledged that her boys have done "stupid things" while she was at work and they got into trouble. She doesn't understand how small crimes when they were younger -- for which they received probation -- can be used now to include them in a gang charge.
When the gang roundup was announced a month ago, officials said there were 11 adults and 22 juveniles. Names released by juvenile court show 11 adults and 18 juveniles.
Records show that of the 29 charged, three are incarcerated in an Ohio Department of Youth Services facility, one is in prison, four remain in custody at the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center, 12 were placed on house arrest by JJC, six were released from the Mahoning County jail, two remain in jail and one has not been apprehended.
Police said the defendants are members of either the South Side Soldiers, L Unit (Lucius Avenue) or Dale Boys (Auburndale and Avondale avenues).
Not concerned
Juvenile Judge Theresa Dellick, after a court hearing prompted by The Vindicator for release of the defendants' addresses, declined to provide the information. She cited safety concerns.
Webster, who attended the hearing, said she told those involved that she didn't care about release of the addresses. "Everybody who knows my kids knows where we live," she said.
She said Levert is staying with his dad, Lewer remains in custody at JJC because of a probation violation and Johnathan is on electronically monitored house arrest. Because Johnathan left home for a while Wednesday without court authorization, he will likely be taken back into custody at JJC, she said.
While Webster talked, members of the Southern Block Watch canvassed her neighborhood asking residents if they wanted to know if gang members live on the street.
She told them she isn't concerned about the addresses being made public. She declined an offer to join the block watch, saying she feels safe on her street.
Maggy Lorenzi, a block watch member, said nearly everyone canvassed so far wants to know the addresses of alleged gang members. The block watch survey -- which will include Avondale and Auburndale avenues -- will be forwarded to Judge Dellick and the press.
'Icey'
Nearby, on Pasadena Avenue, 18-year-old Iceleya Square, the only girl charged in the gang case, said Wednesday that she's had run-ins with the South Side Soldiers, but was never a member of the gang.
"I deny it all day, every day," Square, also known as Icey, said.
She admits getting into trouble when she was younger but now writes songs and raps, using a recording studio in Boardman.
"They shot at my house, shot my mother's house on East Dewey, burned my brother's car and shot at his house on Benwood," the girl's mother, Susan Square, said of the gang members who prey on the South Side.
The 37-year-old mother of 11 said gunfire can be heard in the neighborhood almost daily.
"We're moving soon; there's drama on these streets every day," Susan Square said. "Last fall, my little baby was almost shot in the head."
She said her daughter's been jumped, had her car shot up, had a gun put to head and more since she was 13. "She's no angel, but she's no gang member -- the publicity, it's been humiliating for her with family and friends."
Susan Square said her daughter -- who "has a bad reputation because of her mouth" -- can't help who she knows, but said who she knows doesn't make her a gang member.
"I guess since I wasn't scared, they messed with me," Iceleya Square said.
meade@vindy.com