LSP suspects continue court appearances

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Members of the LSP gang continued their appearances in court for arraignment on various federal and state charges.

Eight suspected members of the gang appeared Tuesday in a federal court in Cleveland on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act charges.

Those appearing were Dominique Callier, 19; Corey Council, 22; Ryan Davis, 21; Daquann Hackett, 21; Derrick Johnson, no age given; Melvin Johnson III, 19; Wayne Kerns, 20; and Braylyn Williams, 20.

U.S. attorneys said all eight pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, waived having the charges read in court and waived their right to have a detention hearing.

By waiving their right to have a detention hearing, the men have agreed to remain incarcerated while the case progresses through the court system, federal attorneys said.

LSP stands for the streets from which the gang ran its suspected criminal enterprise — LaClede, Sherwood and Parkview avenues. Police and members of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been investigating the group for two years.

A 42-count federal indictment released in March detailed 24 men facing charges as alleged gang members under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. An additional seven men are facing state charges in connection with suspected gang activity.

Federal agents say the LSP gang has operated on the South Side for nearly a decade selling drugs and guns and plotting murder.