August 3, 2010
Media Contact: Jenn Meale
Phone: (850) 245-0150
Final Member of the Black MOB Sentenced
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that the last remaining defendant in a case against various members of Plant City’s Black Mob set of the “West Side” criminal street gang has been sentenced for conspiracy to commit racketeering. Craig Kashawn Carter, of Plant City, was convicted to 12 years in prison followed by 10 years probation. The investigation into the West Side gang was initiated as part of a concerted effort of regional law enforcement agencies in accordance with the Attorney General’s Gang Reduction Initiative.
Carter was arrested in December of 2007 along with nine codefendants. All nine codefendants have now been sentenced to prison. Six of the codefendants entered guilty pleas, and received sentences ranging from 48 months to 15 years in Florida State Prison. Three codefendants stood trial in January, 2010, and were convicted and sentenced to prison terms of 20, 12, and six years.
The joint investigation was conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Plant City Police Department. Sentencing is scheduled for July 30th. Carter was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and was sentenced on July 30th by the Honorable William Fuente of the 13th Judicial Circuit.