Attorney General Bill McCollum Press Release

February 12, 2010
Media Contact: Sandi Copes (850) 245-0150
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Two Tampa Area Gang Members Sentenced for Criminal Racketeering

TALLAHASSEE, FL- Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that two members of a violent Tampa Bay area gang have received prison sentences ranging from 12 to 20 years. The individuals were each charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering for their participation in the Black Mob/West Side gang, a Plant City gang that traffics heavily in narcotics and is known for committing robberies. Other charges include grand theft auto, resisting arrest with violence and assault.

Sylvester Dunson Jr., 19, was sentenced to 20 years in prison; and Nathaniel George, 22, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Sentencing was postponed for co-defendant Christopher Davis, 21, for two weeks. The three men and seven co-defendants were arrested in 2008 after an investigation conducted by the Plant City Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office and the Tampa Police Department. The gang members were prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Dunson, Davis and George are the first defendants from the gang to go to trial on the charges. Three other gang members have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to various prison terms ranging from five to 10 years. Four additional members are in custody awaiting trial.