HPD task force arrests 13 suspected gang members

(4/05/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Thirteen suspected gang members Houston police say were behind numerous violent crimes in the city are off the streets. Officers say while its nice to have these 13 people off the streets, there are many more who need to join them behind bars.

Police say the suspects are all members of the same local gang. They call themselves the 5-9 bounty hunters and they are reportedly affiliated with the bloods. This gang in particular operates on the southwest side of the city.

Officers arrested 13 members, but three remained at large until Wednesday afternoon. At the urging of her mother, Bianca Johnson turned herself in around 2:40pm. Following her arrest, Johnson confessed to her role for shooting a woman in the face at an apartment at 10001 Club Creek on November 9, 2005. She is charged with aggravated assault in the 230th State District Court.

One of the two remaining wanted suspects is identified as Kevin Earl Curry, who goes by the names of 'Fast Black' and 'Smooth Black.' He is charged with murder in the 176th State District Court in the February 17 killing of one man and wounding of another at 10110 Forum Park. Both victims knew Curry and were shot multiple times.

The second suspect is identified as Derrick Dwayne West, also known as 'D-West.' He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault in the 230th State District Court for his role in the Club Creek shooting and the shooting of a male at 11555 Bissonnet on November 6, 2005. In each of the incidents West is charged, he knew his victims.

This investigation is centered specifically on this one gang. HPD's gang murder squad began investigating them back in September. Police are not characterizing this, though, as a gang war between Houston gangs and transplanted New Orleans gangs. Police say the violence is the result of something else.

"The underlying motive primarily seems to be narcotics and some disputes about that and territory over narcotics," explained HPD Sgt. Brian Harris.

The 13 suspects already behind bars were wanted for various violent crimes throughout the city.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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