ARLINGTON, Texas — Twenty-one alleged members of a violent street gang in Arlington have been federally charged with racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, and gun crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

 

A Forney man was among the 21 arrested, according to federal prosecutors.

The defendants were charged on November 4, and by November 7, all were in custody, with 17 making initial court appearances that day. The remaining defendants appeared in court on November 13. The FBI and Arlington Police Department began investigating the gang, known as Kiccdoe, in April 2024 after a gang-related murder at an Arlington high school led to a series of retaliatory shootings, stated the source.

The Kiccdoe gang, originating from the 600 block of East Arkansas Lane in Arlington, is accused of committing numerous violent crimes, including murder, drive-by shootings, robberies, and drug trafficking over a three-year period. Members allegedly used social media to promote their activities and maintain their reputation, according to court documents.

The charges are part of a broader effort to combat violent crime in the area, with the investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Arlington Police Department.

Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson praised the collaborative work of law enforcement, stating, “The outstanding, collaborative work of our law enforcement partners has made Arlington residents safer today.” FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock emphasized the importance of partnerships in combating violence, while Arlington Police Chief Al Jones expressed pride in the investigative efforts that led to the arrests.

The investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat violent crime and transnational criminal organizations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and if convicted, they face sentences ranging from ten years to life imprisonment.

Those charged in the complaint include:

•    Michael Mensah, 18, of Grand Prairie, Texas, charged with conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering (RICO conspiracy), assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Raphael Opare, 19, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Dillen Opare, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Isaiah Wiley, 21, of Dallas, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

•    Kyron Oates, 22, of Grand Prairie, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

•    Vernell Woods, 19, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    DeMarco Westmoreland, 19, of Mansfield, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Cortez Atkinson, 18, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Bradley McArthur, Jr., 21, of Fort Worth, Texas charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    DaTraven Warren, 18, of Mansfield, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.

•    Sadedrick Wilson, 22, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Joseph Hill, 18, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Chauncey Ross, 22, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

•    Marcus Shaw, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    KeyShawn Burton, 20, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    LaMarion Austin, 21, of Dallas, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Blake Aaron Scott, 22, of Arlington, Texas, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

•    Sir James Mack Williams, 21, of Arlington, Texas, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.

•    Jaylen Jeshawn Franklin, of Arlington, Texas, 22, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.

•    JaMarion Manogin, 20, of Forney, Texas, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence in aid of racketeering.

•    Jakayla Totten, 21, of DeSoto, Texas, charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.