Lady Justice
Minneapolis, MN – Three individuals associated with a violent street gang in Minneapolis, known as the Highs, have been found guilty by a federal jury for racketeering conspiracy and the murder of a man they wrongly believed was affiliated with a rival gang. These convictions come after a two-week trial and represent a significant step in a broad federal initiative aimed at combating gang-related violence in the city.
The defendants — Keon Pruitt, 22, Dantrell Johnson, 32, and Gregory Hamilton, 29 — were convicted of engaging in a criminal enterprise that employed violence, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses to assert dominance over territory in north Minneapolis. This group is one of several “cliques” within the Highs gang, which has been embroiled in a violent conflict with the opposing Lows gang.
The case focused on incidents that occurred following the death of a Highs member, who was killed by a suspected member of the Lows on August 7, 2021, at a gas station commonly visited by gang members. The following day, during a memorial event at the same site, gang members handed out firearms and pledged to seek revenge.
That day, the convicted men participated in a series of violent attacks, including:
- A non-fatal shooting at Wally’s Foods, a known Lows hangout.
- A murder at Skyline Market, where the trio, along with two juvenile accomplices, fatally shot an innocent man they misidentified as a rival. Surveillance footage showed the victim fleeing the store and being chased down and shot at least eight times in a nearby alley.
“This was cold-blooded, calculated violence meant to control through fear,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “They believed violence gave them power—but today’s conviction proves that justice is stronger.”
The case is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota to dismantle violent street gangs through the use of federal RICO charges. “We will not stop,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Criminal street gangs in Minneapolis will continue to see federal justice.”
Each defendant is facing a potential life sentence in prison. The dates for sentencing have not been disclosed yet.
The investigation was a collaborative effort among multiple agencies, including the ATF, FBI, IRS, Minneapolis Police Department, and various state and local law enforcement partners. A total of 28 individuals have been charged in this broader case, with sixteen defendants still pending trial.
Officials have attributed the success to the application of RICO statutes and the cooperation between agencies, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against gang violence in Minneapolis. Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that the city has recently experienced a notable drop in violent crime, particularly gun-related incidents, largely due to these federal initiatives.
