Sheriff: We broke up another gang

By ROBERT NAPPER and

CARL MARIO NUDI cnudi@bradenton.com

MANATEE - Sheriff's officials and other law enforcement announced this morning they have dismantled what they described as a major source of illegal drugs in the area.

Three reputed members of the "Third Shift Gang" were arrested overnight, and eight others already in jail on other charges were serve warrants charging them with criminal racketeering, sheriff's officials said at a news conference this morning. Five others, also already in jail, face federal drug and weapons charges.

This is third sweep local law enforcement officials have made in a crackdown on local gang activity.

In January of 2007, investigators arrested members of the Brown Locos and in July, they rounded up members of the SUR 13 gang.

Anyone convicted of criminal racketeering faces a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

"Although this is the third gang we have put down, we are not finished," Steube said.

The three suspects arrested overnight Thursday were: Emmanuel Meranvil, 22; Tija Morgan, 22; and Lucien Alexis, 22. All three were arrested in the 400 block of 60th Avenue Drive West.

The five suspects facing federal charges - all of whom were already in jail - are: Kary Alexis, 24; Jimmy Lee, 26; Dominic Orr, 19; Davidson Petit, 26; and Clifford Saint-Lewis (Louis), 23.

The eight other suspects served with warrants in jail are:

Jamal Edwards,19

Terry Green, 20

Brian Johnson, 19

Keith Parhm, 22

James King, 21

Ryan Simmons, 24

Annuel Meranvil, 21

Jerome Williams, 36

Two suspects, Theophille Telfort, 22 and Anthony Brown, 18, remain at large

Other agencies participating in the Third Shift Gang investigation include the state attorney general's office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

At the news conference, Col. Chuck Hagaman described the Third Shift Gang as a "loose knit crew," without a hierarchical leadership order.

Hagaman also said it was not uncommon for members of this gang to be involved with home invasions of other drug dealers.

During the arrests, law officers confiscated cash, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs.

Two weapons also were seized.

Maj. Connie Shingledecker said drug-related activity by gangs affects the average citizen.

"People who buy may not be able to afford the drugs," Shingledecker said, "and will commit burglaries," to obtain money.

Anyone with information on this case can call the sheriff's office at 747-3011, or Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS.