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A Franklin man was sentenced today to 22 years and nine months in prison for conspiracy to commit murder and other crimes.

Malik Trevonte Newsome, also known as “Red,” “Redd,” and “Hitman Red,” 31, was the final defendant sentenced for his role in a violent spree committed by members and associates of a Blood-affiliated criminal enterprise that operated in and around Franklin, Virginia. Newsome, along with Ronald Damone Jenkins, Jr., also known as “G,” 42, of Franklin; Japree Lortez Brooks, also known as “Choppa,” and “Primo,” 40, of Murfreesboro, North Carolina; Montrail Je’Quan Manley, also known as “Yay,” 28, of Portsmouth; and Deon Dominick Sykes, also known as “Animal,” 35, of Franklin, participated in three shootings between late 2017 and early 2019. When a high-ranking member of the enterprise was murdered by a rival Crip-affiliated gang, the group hunted down and shot members and associates of the Crip gang. One of the victims was shot in the hand and leg, two other victims sustained gunshots to their torsos, leaving each with colostomy bags and other permanent injuries.

A federal jury convicted Newsome, Jenkins, and Brooks on December 11, 2023. Newsome was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding.

Jenkins was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On April 16, 2024, Jenkins was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Brooks was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, carrying and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding. On April 18, 2024, Brooks was sentenced to 35 years in prison plus an additional year for a violation of conditions of supervised release in a separate matter.

Manley pleaded guilty on June 6, 2023, to conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On January 4, 2024, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Sykes pleaded guilty on July 27, 2023, to conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. On January 4, 2024, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The announcement was made after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker, and it was made by Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations; Steve Patterson, Chief of Franklin Police; and Josh Wyche Sr., Southampton County Sheriff.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Taylor for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.