Gang members plead guilty to racketeering, drug conspiracy

By Mary Manning

Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 | 6:21 p.m.

Four members of a Las Vegas street gang known as the Playboy Bloods pleaded guilty in federal court today to racketeering and drug conspiracy charges, said U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of Nevada.

Delvin "D-Luv" Ward, 33, and Demichael "Mikey P" Burks, 25, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to engage in a racketeer-influenced and corrupt organization, Bogden said.

Sebastian "Rock" Wigg, 33, and Fred James "June P" Nix, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of drug conspiracy.

All four men admitted that they are members of the Playboy Bloods, a criminal gang that operates in the Sherman Gardens Annex housing complex at H and Doolittle streets, Bogden said.

The men admitted that members of the gang are involved in criminal racketeering acts, including murder, attempted murder, robbery and drug trafficking. They also said that the chief financial activity of the gang is narcotics trafficking.

They also admitted that gang members distribute drugs from apartments and hotel rooms in their neighborhood, which are rented in others' names in exchange for drugs, Bogden said.

Ward admitted that he operated drug houses at 1704 Curran Way, 1003, 10145 and 1016 Silverman Way, the Veterans of Foreign War Post at 1905 H St., and the Budget Suites, 4855 Boulder Highway. He said that he had distributed more than six ounces of crack cocaine.

The plea agreement says that a sentence of nine years in prison is appropriate for Ward, if four others, Burks, Nix, Wigg and Terrence Thomas, plead guilty. If the other four do not plead guilty, the plea agreement says that a sentence of 10 years in prison is appropriate, Bogden said.

Burks admitted that he operated drug houses at 1704 Curran and 1003 Silverman and that he had distributed more than three ounces of crack cocaine. The plea agreement says that a sentence of five years in prison is appropriate for Burks, as long as the other four plead guilty.

Wigg admitted that he operated drug houses within Playboy Bloods turf, including 3834 Terrazzo Ave., and he had distributed more than an ounce of crack cocaine. The plea agreement says that a five-year prison sentence is appropriate for Wigg, if the other four plead guilty.

Nix admitted that he operated drug houses at 919 Silverman, 1003 Silverman and the Budget Suites and had distributed more than an ounce of crack cocaine. The plea agreement says that a five-year prison sentence is appropriate for Nix as long as the other four plead guilty.

Ward, Burks, Wigg and Nix are scheduled for sentencing on March 15 before U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones.

Ten members of the Playboy Bloods were indicted in October 2008 on charges of violence and drug trafficking as part of their membership in the gang. The other six are currently scheduled to go on trial on March 9. Those charges include allegations that Markette Tillman and Steven Booth murdered Sherman Gardens security guard Brian Wilcox on Jan. 20, 2004, as he rode his bicycle away from a disturbance, Bogden said.

Jacorey Taylor, Reginald Dunlap and Steven Booth are accused of killing Billy Thomas on Nov. 1, 2004, in the parking lot of the Pecos Terrace Apartments, 3555 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

The cases are being investigated by the FBI, North Las Vegas Police Department and Metro Police. Prosecutors are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Bliss and Nicholas D. Dickinson.