In a significant crackdown on gang activity in the Philadelphia area, eight alleged members and associates of a gang known as Omerta face a slew of federal charges as announced by United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. The indictment, which was unveiled today, brings to light a variety of accusations, among them racketeering conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering, as well as allegations connected to counterfeiting and mail and wire fraud related to COVID-19 relief payments, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The defendants embroiled in this indictment are a diverse cast of monikers, ranging from 23 to 46 years of age. Named in the indictment are Jahlil Williams, Rakiem Savage, Kyair Garnett, Haneef Roberson, Biheis Moore, Rakiem King, Ward Roberts, and Harry Draper. Coming from the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, the Omerta organization purportedly engaged in violent crimes and financial fraud from 2018 to 2023, striving to enrich and protect their enterprise and uphold their menacing street reputation. In a testimony of the times, they brandished their identity and exploits across social media and music platforms.

Among the violent acts laid out in the indictment, two murders were prominently featured. One involving a 14-year-old boy gunned down in daylight, and the other, a murder-for-hire plot that tragically veered off course, resulting in the death of an individual named C.J. and the wounding of two women. The gang is also accused of participating in numerous other shootings to safeguard their territory and plotting further murder-for-hire schemes, as detailed the indictment.

To finance their illicit activities, the Omerta gang allegedly produced over $1.5 million in counterfeit currency, peddling fake notes as far afield as the eastern seaboard. Members of the group additionally exploited the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, with fraudulent claims amounting to more than $443,000. This they did in a bid to funnel funds into their criminal operations, the indictment specifies. Defendants, depending on the gravity of their involvement and charges, face prison sentences that could range from 20 years to life if convicted.

The investigation leading to the charges involved the cooperation of several federal and local agencies, including the FBI, the ATF, the United States Secret Service, and the Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Lanni, Everett Witherell, and Shayna Gannone are prosecuting the case.

Editor's Note: A previous version of article misstated the list of cooperating agencies by omitting