Federal prosecutors say they’ve dented a violent American Indian gang in the Upper Midwest now that they’ve won convictions in a wide-reaching racketeering case.
The alleged leader of the Native Mob, 34-year-old Wakinyon Wakan (wahk-IHN‘-yawn wahk-ON’) McArthur, was convicted Tuesday in Minneapolis on charges including racketeering conspiracy.
Jurors also convicted two alleged gang “soldiers,” 26-year-old Anthony Cree and 25-year-old William Morris, on charges including attempted murder in aid of racketeering.
The three were the only defendants who rejected plea deals after 25 people were indicted last year.
Authorities say the case targeted a criminal enterprise that used intimidation and violence to maintain power.
But defense attorneys argued the case was overblown, saying there’s no evidence to support racketeering charges alleging the trio was part of a large, organized criminal group.