Nine alleged members of the “Hogg Life” gang have been charged with federal drug crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
The defendants were indicted last Wednesday. Several of them made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lee Ann Reno on Monday.
During a multi-pronged operation on Friday, law enforcement agents arrested several of the defendants and recovered nearly a kilogram of bulk marijuana, multiple grams of psilocybin (hallucinogenic mushrooms), oxycontin, alprazolam, four pistols, and more than $17,000 cash. This seizure follows the execution of a search warrant served in May, when law enforcement seized more than 125 pounds of bulk marijuana, THC products, and psilocybin products, and over $63,000 in cash from members of the “Hogg Life” gang.
According to court documents, the investigation began in spring 2018, when multiple anonymous callers reported interstate drug trafficking to the Amarillo Police Department. At least one tipster indicated that the alleged traffickers regularly posted about their illicit dealings on Snapchat.
In spring 2020, a cooperating defendant told the Amarillo Police Department’s Narcotics Unit that a group calling itself “Hogg Life,” a Crips gang, trafficked in marijuana. The cooperating defendant said dealers located in Texas mailed currency to a supplier in California in exchanged for narcotics, which were shipped to them through the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx.
The cooperating defendant confirmed the operation was facilitated through Snapchat and identified several dealers’ accounts. He also identified the account belonging to the California supplier, who he said branded his narcotics with “Dank of America.”
Shortly thereafter, an undercover agent posing as a buyer initiated Snapchat conversations with local Amarillo dealers. Videos and images captured from their accounts show the cultivation, packaging, and advertisement of large quantities of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and other THC products. The local “Hogg Life” gang members allegedly sold marijuana and THC products with their own brand name, “No Boof.”
Both the supplier and the dealer allegedly flaunted their drug proceeds, frequently posting about luxury travel and dining, exotic vehicles, designer clothing and jewelry, and adult entertainment.
Those charged include:
- Demarcus Dave Grabert, aka “Rackz,” 24, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distribution of Psilocin, one count of distribution of marijuana, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
- Grant Leonard Glover, 33 charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of psilocin, and one count of distribution of marijuana.
- Tremaine Devante Watson, aka “T-watt,” 29, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of psilocin, one count of distribution of marijuana, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
- Ashton Andrew Burns, aka “Trayo,” 31, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
- Doshon Lee Johnson, aka “Nolia Boy Tat,” 24, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of psilocin
- Andre Shemar Lewis, aka “30,” 25, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana
- Chandler Geveon Smith, aka “Lil Chan,” 23, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
- Davona Traveil Carter, 28, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana
One defendant, whose name remains sealed per court order, is a fugitive.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 40 years prison time.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Amarillo Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell is prosecuting the case.
