A Baltimore man who allegedly killed two fellow gang members who broke gang rules was sentenced Tuesday to a 30-year term in federal prison following an earlier guilty plea in federal court, the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland said.
Dontray "Gambino/Bino/Tray" Johnson, 33, pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug conspiracy charges for his participation in the activities of the Murdaland Mafia Piru gang. The group is affiliated with the nationally infamous Bloods gang. As part of his plea, Johnson admitted to committing two murders and conspiring in the distribution of drugs.
According to his plea and documents submitted to the court, the MMP built a criminal organization similar to the Italian Mafia, with a boss or "Don" at the top, and various "Underbosses," "Capos," Lieutenants," and "Mobsters" down the chain of hierarchy. The group controlled the drug trade in Northwest Baltimore City and over the Baltimore County line in areas like Forest Park, Windsor Mill, Gwynn Oak, Howard Park, Woodlawn, and Walbrook Junction. Taking advantage of their proximity to Interstate 70 and its connection to Western Maryland and neighboring states, the gang ran a drug shop in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road.
The group grew rich from drug profits while using violence and intimidation to retaliate against witnesses, protect territory, enforce debts, and eliminate competition, the U.S. Attorney's statement said. Johnson admitted to participating in or planning such violent acts.
Specifically, on Nov. 22, 2012, Johnson admitted to murdering fellow MMP member Antoine Ellis in the 200 block of North Forest Park Avenue. Johnson said Ellis was killed "because he had shown disloyalty to MMP," a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Prior to the killing, Johnson had posted on Facebook "198 n risen," referring to the city's murder tally at that time.
Johnson murdered in the name of the gang again on Sept. 29, 2015, killing Brian Johnson because he refused to pay gang dues.
Dontray Johnson had also been seen in two rap videos online, in which he talked of the gang's exploits and was seen brandishing firearms.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Johnson's Owings Mills residence on July 31, 2015. The search discovered 28 grams of heroin, 70 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition, a bulletproof vest, $1,480 in cash, and a sheet detailing drug debts owed by MMP members and associates.
Johnson was one of 18 defendants who pleaded guilty in the case. Another eight defendants are scheduled to stand trial on March 18, 2019.
