SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Nine members of the “Crips East Terrace Gangstas” have been arrested in a federal drug bust in San Antonio on Friday.

Federal, state, and local authorities worked together to catch the men who also refer to themselves as the “Skinny Block Crew.” The men are charged with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, according to the Department of Justice.

The men arrested include:

  • Alvin Clark (nickname Ray Ray) age 40
  • Earl Whitley, Jr (nickname Earl Jr) age 36
  • Jamel Shercone Whitley (nickname Pookie) age 38
  • Dia’Vonte E’Shaun Titus Ross (nickname Tay) age 21
  • Jovon Deante Stewart (nickname Lil JoJo) age 24
  • Paul Low (nickname P-Low) age 49
  • Joseph Hammond (nickname JoJo) age 37
  • James Bilal Ali (nickname Showtime) age 34
  • Spurgeon Williams (nickname Bubba) age 47
  • Joseph Lake (nickname J.L.) age 39

According to the indictment, since January 2016 the men conspired to sell more than 28 grams of crack.  Investigators said that most of the drug trafficking was concentrated around the 200 and 300 blocks of Ferris Avenue on the east side of San Antonio.

Due to their criminal past, Clark, Whitley, Ali, Hammond, Lake, Stewart, Low and Williams are facing an increased penalty between 10 years to life in federal prison. The ringleader of the gang, Alvin Clark, is facing federal drug charges.

Ross is also charged with one count of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime. He faces a sentence between five and 40 years in prison for each drug charge against him.

All eight of the men will stay in federal custody until their hearings next week. Clark, Whitley, Low and Ali are scheduled for a hearing on Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. Ross, Stewart, Williams, and Lake’s hearings are scheduled for Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.

“Drug trafficking, and the related violence, has a debilitating effect on individuals, families, and communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs. “It is a scourge on neighborhoods throughout the nation and causes citizens to live in fear. The FBI is committed to working with the San Antonio Police Department, along with our federal, state and local partners on the Violent Crime Task Force to ensure children and families can enjoy their community.”