Nine Gang Members Charged with RICO Conspiracy and Murder

A second superseding indictment was unsealed today charging a total of nine alleged gang members with racketeering influenced corrupt organization (RICO) conspiracy, racketeering murder and attempted murder, and firearms charges, all as part of their membership with the United Bloods Nation gang and the Cautious District subset of the Immaculate Balla Family, commonly called the Makk Ballers.

The indictment alleges that the following defendants were members of Cautious District, a violent Eastern Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware street gang that participated in murder, robberies, narcotics trafficking, shootings, violent assaults, weapons violations, and other acts of violence:

• Christopher Clovis-Weathers Monfiston, also known as "YB" and "Twin," 34, of Chesapeake, Virginia;
• Tyvon Lyncurtis Smith, also known as "Rich Fargo," "Cautious," and "Teddy," 34, of Parksley, Virginia;
• Ky'riq Nygee Weathers, also known as "OG Kane," "Riq," and "Rico," 29, of Parksley, Virginia;
• Markiece Obryant Harmon, also known as "Issue" and "I$$Ue," 41, of Hare Valley, Virginia;
• Zyshon Bell, also known as "Problem," 24, of Temperanceville, Virginia;
• Travon Bell, also known as "Lil Sav" and "Sav," 22, of Parksley, Virginia;
• Antoine Muhammad Beverley, also known as "Psycho," 30, of Onancock, Virginia;
• Quaizal Kellam, also known as "Sleaze Da Fox," "Front," "Frontline," and "Qui," 25, of Exmore, Virginia; and
• Kemyrion Boggs, also known as "38," 22, of Onancock, Virginia.

Smith, Monfiston, and Weathers were charged in the original indictment and the newly added defendants were the result of additional investigation.

According to court documents, members and associates of the gang were expected to retaliate against members of rival gangs.

On Feb. 13, 2024, Smith, Monfiston, and Weathers allegedly coordinated travel from their homes in Virginia Beach to Brown's residence in Accomack County, where they hoped to encounter a rival gang member they believed had assaulted Weathers two days earlier. That night, they hid in the woods near the home and ambushed Victim 1, shooting him multiple times. Victim 1 died of his injuries.

On Jan. 19, 2024, Smith, Boggs, and other Cautious District members shot at the home of the father of a rival gang member in an attempt to draw that member out of hiding. On Feb. 11, 2024, Smith, Weathers, Zyshon Bell, and other gang members returned to the residence. There, Zyshon Bell and another gang member looked through windows to locate the sleeping victim and fired dozens of shots into the home, striking Victim 2, who was partially paralyzed from his injuries.

The gang members were also allegedly involved in numerous other shootings, including at vehicles and homes associated with rival gang members. They also allegedly carried out robberies, including armed carjackings. During the execution of search warrants, law enforcement seized numerous firearms, including guns that were traced forensically to shootings carried out by the gang.

Smith, Monfiston, and Weathers each face a minimum penalty of life in prison for their role in Victim 1's murder. Zyshon Bell faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The remaining defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; First Assistant U.S. Attorney Theophani K. Stamos for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., Field Office made the announcement.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) is leading the investigation, along with HSI.

Trial Attorney Ben Tonkin of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen S. Taylor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Wirt for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.