Prosecutors indicted and convicted 20 defendants for murder, shooting, and other felonies; shootings down 30% since 2020

A successful murder trial has completed the State’s four-year prosecution against a major Wilmington-area gang with a 100% conviction rate, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday. The State’s efforts have secured more than 100 years of confirmed prison time, and several defendants yet to be sentenced face multiple potential life sentences.

“This is an exclamation point on a case that our team has lived and breathed for more than four years,” said AG Jennings. “These gang members are responsible for unthinkable violence in our city, for losses of lives that can never be restored, and for the pain and suffering of the victims’ families and every City resident who has borne the cost of gun violence. I’m proud that our team convicted every defendant. I’m heartened by the progress that gang prosecutions have helped us make as we’ve reduced shootings by 30% since 2020. And I’m grateful for the life-saving efforts of the Wilmington Police Department and all of our partners in this investigation.”

“The results of the long-term investigation into this violent gang are nothing short of remarkable, with a total of 20 defendants convicted in a slew of criminal cases that encompassed four murders, a six-person shooting incident, six additional shooting incidents, a robbery and a number of gun offenses,” said Chief Wilfredo Campos. “I am proud of the work of our detectives, and appreciative of the partnership of our fellow law enforcement agencies as well as prosecutors in the Delaware Department of Justice. This investigation has undoubtedly saved lives and prevented shootings and other violent crime, and we hope that this serves as a strong reminder to others engaged in gun violence in our community that we will not stop until they are held accountable.”

Deonte Robinson, 22, was convicted at trial of Murder 2^nd Degree, Gang Participation, Conspiracy 1^st Degree, and Conspiracy 2^nd Degree, and faces 15 years to life at sentencing. Robinson was the 20^th, and final, defendant convicted under a massive four-year prosecution against the violent gang MGS.

The State’s case against MGS (“M-Block Grimy Savages”) began in September 2019 as an effort to address gang violence in Wilmington through a newly formed Task Force, which consisted of personnel from the Delaware Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, Wilmington Police Department, the ATF, and the FBI.  Traces on crime guns recovered in and around Wilmington helped the Task Force identify MGS as a major driver of violence in Wilmington.

The ensuing investigation identified 19 defendants — 17 adults and 2 juveniles — involved with MGS or aligned gangs and numerous violent felonies, as well as a non-MGS member who contracted a Dover killing.  The crimes included the killings of Shiheem Durham, Naithan Grzybowski, Tommier Dendy, and Eddie Green; a six-victim mass shooting at the intersection of 10^th and Pine Streets in April 2019; six additional shooting cases; a robbery; and numerous gun offenses.

The State ultimately convicted all twenty defendants. In addition to Robinson, the convictions were:

• Jason Calhum, 22, guilty of Murder 1^st Degree (Durham), Gang Participation, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Money Laundering, Conspiracy 1^st Degree, and three counts of Conspiracy 2^nd Degree
• Khalil Dixon, 26, guilty of Murder 1^st Degree (Durham), Money Laundering, Criminal Solicitation 1^st Degree, Conspiracy 1^st Degree and Conspiracy 2^nd Degree
• Tyrie Burton, 24, guilty of Conspiracy 1^st Degree, Assault 1^st Degree, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Gang Participation, and Violation of Probation
• Davon Walker, 23, guilty of Murder 2^nd Degree (Grzybowski), Murder 2^nd Degree (Dendy), Murder 2^nd Degree (Green), Gang Participation, and Conspiracy 1^st Degree
• Pierre Carter-Bailey, 23, guilty of Assault 1^st Degree, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Deonta Carney, 23, guilty of Gang Participation
• Zakier Smith, 24, guilty of Assault 2^nd Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Gang Participation
• Lloyd Smith, 23, guilty of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon, and Conspiracy 2^nd Degree
• Dahmere White, 26, guilty of Possession of a firearm by a Person Prohibited and Gang Participation
• Marcell Dixon, 29, guilty of Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon, Gang Participation, and Violation of Probation
• Jakeem Bush, 21, guilty of Gang Participation
• Antonio Wright, 32, guilty of Providing a Firearm to a Person Prohibited, and Gang Participation.
• Nathaniel Murray, 22, guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon, and Gang Participation.
• Jahmier Robinson-Handy, 21, guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon.
• Clarence Jarman, 22, guilty of Gang Participation.
• Zyamese Mobley, 24, guilty of Gang Participation.
• Darielle Oliver, 22, no contest to Hindering Prosecution
• Two minors each guilty of Gang Participation.

Since 2020, gun violence in Delaware has been reduced by 30% statewide, including a 50% decline in summer shootings and a 60% reduction in Wilmington homicides.

The convictions against these defendants were secured by Deputy Attorneys General Jamie McCloskey, Erika Flaschner, and AJ Hill following an extensive investigation led by Det. Devon Jones of the Wilmington Police Department. Delaware State Police led the investigation into the murder of Shiheem Durham in Dover. The DOJ’S efforts were made possible by Criminal Intelligence Analyst Dan Masi, Paralegals Julia Bacon and Sarah Molaski, and Social Worker Crystal Pitts.

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