PHILADELPHIA, PA — On Tuesday, an indictment against eight members and associates of the Philadelphia gang known as Omerta was unsealed. The charges include racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit counterfeiting, and mail and wire fraud.
The defendants, identified as Jahlil Williams, 25; Rakiem Savage, 26; Kyair Garnett, 23; Haneef Roberson, 23; Biheis Moore, 24; Rakiem King, 25; Ward Roberts, 25; and Harry Draper, 46, are alleged to have been part of a criminal enterprise. This enterprise reportedly engaged in various illegal activities, including murder, shootings, firearm possession, counterfeiting, money laundering, gambling, robbery, drug trafficking, and pandemic-related fraud.
The alleged conspiracy spanned from 2018 to 2023. Prosecutors claim that during this period, gang members committed violent acts and fraud to enrich the gang, protect their territory, and bolster their reputation. Omerta, based in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, is also said to have close ties with another gang, Zoo Gang. The indictment notes that Omerta used social media and music to promote their identity, recruit members, and boast about their violent acts.
In one notable incident, members of the conspiracy allegedly murdered a person known as C.J. and shot two women in September 2021. In a separate event, fourteen-year-old S.J. was reportedly murdered in November 2021. The indictment also describes other shootings and murder-for-hire plots.
To finance their activities, Omerta members allegedly engaged in over $1.5 million in counterfeiting, exchanging fake currency for legitimate money across Pennsylvania and the eastern seaboard. They also allegedly filed fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance applications, obtaining over $443,000.
If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties. Some could receive up to 20 years in prison, while others face potential life sentences.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, United States Secret Service, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, and the Philadelphia Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Lanni, Everett Witherell, and Shayna Gannone.
An indictment is an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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