Gang ‘godfathers' in United Blood Nation case found guilty

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gang members accused of endangering families across the Carolinas have been found guilty.

Last May, 600 federal agents spread out across the Carolinas rounding up 83 men and women accused of robbing, killing, and selling drugs across the area.

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Pedro Gutierrez, aka Magoo/Light/Inferno, 45; James Baxton, aka Frank White, 44; and Cynthia Gilmore, aka Cynthia Young/Lady Bynt, 42, all of Raleigh, North Carolina, were convicted by a federal jury in Charlotte on racketeering charges following a two-week trial.

In the trial brief, prosecutors accuse the trio of being leaders of the United Blood Nation from at least 2009 to March of 2018. Baxton and Guiterrez were known as the “Godfathers”. Investigators say that from New York they were able to dispatch lower-ranking members to commit crimes in North Carolina and send them monthly dues. Prosecutors plan to present Facebook messages, jailhouse phone calls, and letters as evidence of their far-reaching criminal enterprise.

Members are accused in an array of crimes including six murders and nine attempted murders.

As of March, roughly 35 of the other defendants arrested in the roundup had pleaded guilty to fraud, racketeering, and other crimes.

"This guilty verdict represents a significant blow against the highest leadership of the Nine Trey Gangsters and the United Blood Nation," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. "It reflects the sustained and extensive commitment by federal, state and local law enforcement, including the Criminal Division's Organized Crime and Gang Section, to disrupt and dismantle this and other prison and street gangs throughout the country."

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