By Bonnie Culverhouse
Several law enforcement agencies, led by Minden Police, rounded up 11 alleged gang members, beginning early Thursday morning.
Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said a FBI task force, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Probation and Parole, United States Marshal’s Service and Bienville Parish are assisting in the arrests.
Cropper said for the past 14 months, detectives have been documenting and photographing everything about TTS (Train To Step) gang members.
“We still have some warrants to be served,” Cropper said. “They will be charged, according to Title 15, with criminal street gangs and patterns of criminal street gang activity.”
According to Title 15, if convicted, “they shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than one-half the maximum term of imprisonment provided for an underlying offense committed in a pattern of criminal gang activity and may be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000.”
“It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing,” said the chief.
Cropper said detectives are tying the members together through the same body tattoos of TTS and photos with other gang members being posted on social media.
“I think there are four juveniles involved, but they are all in Texas or Shreveport,” he said. “I don’t anticipate arresting any juveniles today, but eventually they will be arrested.”
Some of the gang members are already incarcerated and will be served their papers in jail.
“Other arrests will follow,” Cropper said. “I believe residents may be concerned because the force is shorthanded and think we may not be able to respond to calls, but we can and we will. We may not be as quick as we could be, but I am comfortable with our police protection.”
Video: Detectives Kenny James (front) and Shane Griffith flank the first interviewee and alleged gang member, Donavon Fort.
