New federal charges against Native Mob members

Published 12:05 pm Wednesday, July 25, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Updated federal charges against alleged members of a Native American-based gang now include murder and aiding attempted murder.

The superseding indictment charges Shawn Martinez with killing another Native Mob member in February 2011. Prosecutors say Martinez killed Jeremee Kraskey to keep him from giving information to law enforcement.

The original indictment filed in January accused 24 suspected Native Mob members with conspiracy to participate in racketeering, alleging they used violence and intimidation to keep the gang in power.

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The Bemidji Pioneer (http://bit.ly/LLE5mo ) says the latest federal charges also accuse two other defendants with aiding and abetting attempted murder in March 2010. They’re accused of shooting a man while he held his 5-year-old daughter.

Authorities say the gang wields power from the Twin Cities to reservations throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.