Violent gang members sentenced in drug conspiracy

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Eight gang members have been sentenced in a drug conspiracy case in Bladen and Columbus Counties.

According to a release from the U.S. Justice Department,Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced Shawn Schenck to 23 years in prison after he plead guilty to continuing criminal enterprise. Schenck was subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years for his crimes. Schenck was the leader of the PIRU MOB gang that operates in Columbus and Bladen Counties.

Seven other co-defendants were also charged by Judge Howard after pleading guilty. Anthony Jerome McClean pleaded guilty to continuing criminal enterprise and sentenced to 14 years in prison. James Calvin Quinn, Orlando Rashaud Childress, and Haskell Turer Williams all pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and were each sentenced to seven years in prison.

Malcolm Harvey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, distribution of heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Harvey is sentenced to 62 months in prison. Harry Lane Hardie, Jr. pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to five years in prison. Finally, Corey Scott Alford pleaded guilty to conspiracty to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and faces 46 months in prison.

According to the release, the PIRU MOB is a set of the United Blood Nation that operates in Columbus and Bladen Counties. They had a large distribution operation, supplying heroin, cocaine, and prescription opiods in the Clarkton area. Officials say violent shootings happened in association with the drug distribution. There were also three acts of retaliation against rival gang members.

Officials say Schneck and McClean both ordered multiple hits on people who affected their drug operation. The orders resulted in the shooting of at least one person and attempted shootings on several others.

Investigators initially arrested gang members after they made a drug run in Kannapolis and investigators learned they were bringing back enforcement to finish a hit on a local rival.

Acting U.S. Attorney John Stuart Bruce says, “This type of gang violence is intolerable. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling drug trafficking organizations as this one, and ensuring that their members cannot perpetrate violent acts that jeopardize the safety of our communities.”

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the FBI; and U.S. Attorney’s Office for their help getting these gang members off the streets.

Sheriff Hatcher says he’s committed to making Columbus County residents feel safe and secure in their homes and that gang violence will not be tolerated.

Sheriff James McVicker of Bladen County says, “This is the perfect example of when multiple agenies work together to combat the gang and drug problems in our two counties. I would like to extend my greatest appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office.”

Assistant United States Attorney Leslie K. Cooley prosecuted the case for the United States.