Maurice McLain
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Three members of the Newport News street gang “Thug Relations,” were convicted by a federal jury of multiple murders and robberies, in addition to other crimes related to their criminal enterprise.
According to the Department of Justice, “Thug Relations” was a criminal organization with members and associates who engaged in acts of violence, including four murders, numerous drug robberies and shootings.
Eric Pridgen, aka “Rabbit”, 33, Hebert Pridgen, aka “Bok”, 29, and Maurice McLain, aka “Mo”, 33, were convicted Friday of racketeering conspiracy with special verdicts on four separate murders.
Herbert Pridgen
Those murders were of Aaron Sumler, on July 5, 2007; Lafayette Bailey on Dec. 15, 2009; Lloyd Robinson on Jan. 9, 2010; and Dominque Wharton on March 16, 2010.
The jury also found the Pridgen brothers guilty of VICAR murders, Hobbs Act robbery violations, felon in possession charges and use of a firearm resulting in murder. One of the felon in possession charges related to the murder of Gale Perch, who was killed in 2009. She was in a car with the intended murder victim.
Three other defendants, Douglas Ashby, Robbie Bowles and Antonio Johnson were charged in the same indictment, but pleaded guilty
Eric Pridgen
prior to trial.
Both Eric and Herbert Pridgen face a mandatory life sentence following their convictions on the murder in aid of racketeering charges.
Mclain faces a maximum penalty of up to life in prison based on the special verdict form returned regarding the murder of Aaron Sumler.
