The jury finds three accused members of the “Bloods” street gang guilty of extortion and other charges

Three alleged members of the Minneapolis Bloods street gang were convicted on Tuesday of, among other things, conspiracy and use of firearms to commit two murders.

The jury convicted Desean James Solomon, 34, of Richfield, of racketeering conspiracy, carrying and using a firearm in a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. They also convicted Michael Allen Burrell, 44, of St. Paul, and Leontawan Holt, 26, of Minneapolis, of aiding and abetting a crime of violence and carrying and using a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said in a brief news conference Tuesday in St. Paul that the verdicts made clear that the Bloods “created and brutally enforced a clearly defined set of rules that apply to all Bloods members, just like traditional organized crime.” .”

“In this criminal enterprise, these rules take precedence over all criminal laws and social principles such as respect for human life and public safety,” Luger said.

Messages seeking comment were left from each of the three men sentenced Tuesday. At least one lawyer confirmed plans to appeal the ruling.

“While we sincerely respect the jury’s efforts, Mr. Solomon, his family and I disagree with the verdict,” said Thomas Plunkett, Solomon’s attorney. “We will have to resolve several issues in the appeal process.”

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara attended a post-sentence news conference along with Luger and the three prosecutors who tried the case – Assistant U.S. Attorneys Esther Soria Mignanelli, Kristian Weir and Campbell Warner.