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A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a 28-year-old Salt Lake City man to serve 10 years in prison for crimes committed on behalf of the Tongan Crip Gang.
Sitamipa "Mipa" Toki was the latest defendant to receive a lengthy sentence after a federal jury in October convicted six gang members for a variety of crimes dating back to 2002. U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell imposed the sentence.
Jurors convicted Toki of assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. He was acquitted of conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury and a second firearms count.
Toki was involved in a gang-related shooting at a house in 2007, where he was accused of firing a shot into the ceiling of a carport.
Seventeen TCG members and associates were charged in a 29-count indictment filed in federal court in May 2010, alleging the gang engages in acts of violence to enhance its prestige and to protect and expand the gang's operations.
Nine of the 17 received Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges, a move designed to take a major step toward dismantling the gang, prosecutors said when announcing the indictments.
The U.S. attorney's office has said it took two years to assemble the TCG case, which included documenting 34 "overt acts" dating back to 2002 that support the RICO allegations.
Toki's sentencing in federal court was fifth completed for six members of TCG convicted by the jury in October.
The last sentence remaining for those convicted in October is for 22-year-old Mataika "Fish" Tuai of Salt Lake City. Tuai faces at least 10 years in prison when he is sentenced before Campbell on Feb. 22 following convictions for racketeering conspiracy, robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
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TCG case recap
A federal jury in October convicted six members of the Tongan Crip Gang (TCG) for crimes dating back to 2002, including robberies, assaults and supporting a criminal enterprise. The verdict came after a five-week trial and two days of deliberation. Several defendants are in the middle of serving other prison terms they will need to finish before starting their new federal sentences.
Eric "Smooth" Kamahele, 24, of Cottonwood Heights
Convictions » Racketeering conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery. He was ordered to serve a mandatory minimum 32 years in prison.
Mataika "Fish" Tuai, 22, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Racketeering conspiracy, robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He faces at least 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 22.
David "D-Down" Kamoto, 24, of Salt Lake City
Conviction » Robbery. Jurors acquitted Kamoto on charges of maiming in aid of racketeering; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering; and firearms charges. He was ordered to serve 36 months of probation because he served state prison time for the same crime.
Daniel "D-Loc" Maumau, 25, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. Jurors acquitted Maumau on charges of conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury and a second firearms count. He was ordered to serve 10 years in prison.
Kepa "Kap-Loc" Maumau, 24, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Racketeering conspiracy, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and multiple counts of using or carrying a firearm during a violent crime. He was ordered to serve 57 years in prison.
Sitamipa "Tok-Loc" Toki, 28, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. Jurors acquitted Toki of conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury and a second firearms count.
David "D-Nutt" Walsh » 32, of Inglewood, Calif.
Acquitted of » Conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering. Walsh will be returned to California, where he is serving a prison sentence for crimes there. He may be possibly charged with murder in Utah's 3rd District Court, after previously unrevealed testimony during the federal trial indicated he was the alleged triggerman in the 2007 murder of Solomone Tu'ifua.
Charles "Slim-Loc" Moa » 32, of West Jordan
Acquitted of » Racketeering and weapons charges. The judge ruled there was not enough evidence for Moa's case to be considered by the jury, and granted a defense attorney's motion for acquittal prior to jury deliberations. Moa was sent back to the Utah State Prison in Draper, where he is serving a state prison sentence.