Eastside Pain Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to 240 Months Federal Prison

LOS ANGELES, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eastside Pain Bloods gang member Marvin Reed was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison, with five (5) years supervised release Monday, by U.S. District Court Judge Matz, for violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(iii), Distribution of Cocaine Base (Crack Cocaine) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

In July 2007, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) executed 22 search warrants in the Ghost Town section of South Los Angeles, seizing guns, marijuana, crack cocaine and cash. Authorities arrested 43 Eastside Pain Bloods gang members and associates on narcotics and weapons charges during the operation. In addition to the arrests, the United States Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed asset forfeiture and nuisance abatement lawsuits.

Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is pleased with the sentence imposed on Reed. "ATF is fully committed to dismantling dangerous armed gangs in the Los Angeles area," Torres said. "We are warning street gang members, no matter who they are, that if they don't stop terrorizing our neighborhoods and cities, they will be arrested, held accountable for their actions and brought to justice."

ATF and LAPD conducted this joint investigation under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN combats gun violence by bringing together local, state and federal law enforcement officials, prosecutors and community leaders to implement a comprehensive, strategic approach to reducing gun violence and promoting safe communities in the United States. ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency in the PSN initiative, investigating violent firearms offenders, firearms traffickers, and gangs who use firearms.

Contact: Elaine Kwong, PIO

Office: (818) 265-2507

Cell: (213) 925-4547