Slaying suspect describes ‘mafia-type’ gang

Erica D. Johnson

Thursday, March 25, 2004 | 11 a.m.

A sixth suspect charged in the death of a Silverado High School student claims the teen's killers were members of a "mafia-type" gang that centered on drug sales, according to a report compiled by Boulder City Police.

The new allegations surfaced two weeks ago after authorities arrested Gerald Wilks, 20, in the slaying of 17-year-old Jared Whaley.

Five other teens -- Matthew Douglas Baker, 18, twins Shane and Cody Myers, 17, Shane Andrew Johnson, 17, and Stephen Stringfield, 19 -- face murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges.

In a declaration of arrest for Wilks, police claim Wilks told them he and the other suspects were members of a gang referred to as "the Crew," which was formed by Baker.

The 10-page report outlines the hierarchy of the gang as relayed to police by Wilks:

"The members of the group were as follows: Matthew Baker (leader and drug dealer), Shane Myers (2nd in command, enforcer and driver), Shane Johnson (enforcer), Steve Stringfield (drug runner), Cody Myers (cleanup), Jared Whaley (drug dealer)."

The report also names three other teens who are not charged in the killing as drug dealers and drivers.

According to the report, "all members had loaned monies to Matthew Baker for the purpose of purchasing drugs to sell for profit and then he (would) purchase larger amounts."

Wilks told police the group initially purchased about 1 1/2 pounds of marijuana to sell, but the teens later began selling speed and methamphetamine.

Whaley was reported missing in October. His remains were found Oct. 26 buried in a dry lake bed off U.S. 95 in Boulder City but not identified until Feb. 12. Authorities said he was killed with multiple shotgun blasts and that the killing was sparked by Whaley's interference in the group's drug sales.

According to the report, Wilks told police that Baker was angry at Whaley "over drug deals and money."

He said he heard Baker and Myers say on numerous occasions that "they want to kill Jared and they wanted Jared dead," the report states.

Police say Wilks also admitted to helping dig a grave for Whaley. He said he was aware of two other attempts to kill Whaley in which the teens put Visine and a nicotine poison in Whaley's drink.

"Suspect Wilks said he did not say anything to Jared Whaley or warn him about the plans against his life at any time," the report states.

Wilks said he told the other suspects he was scared and that he wanted nothing more to do with the plot to kill Whaley. He said he was not present when Whaley was killed.

Wilks said that in November he heard the teens talking about how they'd taken a teenager named "Jamal" out to the desert and beaten him until he was unrecognizable. Wilks said he assumed they were referring to Whaley.

Police had already gathered information from at least two other suspects, Stringfield and Johnson, who outlined the details of Whaley's slaying for police.

Police said Stringfield told them that he and the other teens drove to Whaley's home in Las Vegas on Oct. 14 and the group drove to the dry lake bed.

When the teens arrived, "Matt Baker then confronted victim Whaley about messing up narcotic activity, using drugs and spending of monies that upset Baker," according to the report.

Stringfield said Johnson walked up to Whaley and shocked him in the neck with a stun gun and Shane Myers then struck Whaley in the head with a tire iron.

Cody Myers then handed a single-barrel shotgun to Baker, who shot Whaley in the torso and then in the head, Stringfield said.

Baker, Johnson and Shane Myers then began kicking and hitting Whaley in the face to "make him unrecognizable," the report states.

Police said Stringfield told them that Whaley was dragged to the nearby grave, stripped of his clothing and personal items and was placed in black trash bags, which were secured with duct tape.

Johnson allegedly corroborated Stringfield's story, saying the killing occurred because Baker was angry that Whaley "was messing up their narcotic activity, that Jared had blown funds and that Jared was making Baker mad."

Police said Johnson told them that a week before Whaley's disappearance, the teens dug the grave and Johnson purchased the stun gun.

Johnson said Baker had made a list of the tools and equipment needed to carry out the killings -- a shotgun, ammunition, gloves, spare change of clothing, pliers, knife, trash bags, stun gun, shovel, an a maul for digging.

Johnson told police the teens burned the list the day of the slaying, according to the report.