Nine members of the Crips East Terrace Gangstas, also known as "The Skinny Bloc Grew" gang, have been arrested in a federal drug raid.
They were arrested by the FBI and San Antonio Police Department on Friday morning in an operation targeting drugs and violence on the east side.
Moments later, they were indicted on charges brought forth by a grand jury. Among the nine arrested was the gang's 40-year-old ringleader, Alvin Clark. The feds say that he led a gang that's been selling crack cocaine for nearly two years.
The nine gang members range in age from 21 to 49. They include 36-year-old Earl Whitley, Jr., the father of 4-year-old De-Earlvion Whitley who was fatally shot in the head in July after a drive-by shooting at his home.
It's believed that their rival, the Charles Bethany Gang, is behind the murder. Charles Lee Bethany, 36, was arrested in July in connection with the death of 4-year-old Whitley.
In a statement issued Friday, SAPD Chief William McManus said:
"Today's arrests are the result of the ongoing collaboration with SAPD and our local, state and federal partners. We will continue to work strategically using intelligence led policing and teamwork to ensure that violent offenders are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
If convicted, the nine members of the gang face between 10 years and life in federal prison. They will remain in custody pending detention hearings next week.