INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett praised the police and FBI for their work in arresting nine members of a local gang Tuesday.
The members were part of the Gett Money Gang (GMG) as part of Operation Go Broke. The gang worked out of two north side locations -- Creekwood Apartments near 71st Street and Michigan Road and a spot on the 6400 block of Scenic Court.
"The people in our city who traffic in drugs and guns will not terrorize our citizens," Mayor Joe Hogsett said. "We will not go quietly into the night. We will not be prisoners of our fears. We will not allow these drug-pushers, these gunslingers, these violent, vicious criminals to harm our city. Too many people have worked to make Indianapolis the city that it is today. I stand before you asserting without equivocation that the buck stops at the desk of the mayor's office. I will not rest, Chief [Troy] Riggs will not rest and Prosecutor [Terry] Curry will not rest until our city is the safest in the country. Until every citizen feels safe, secure and welcome. On that, you have my word."
Watch the full press conference in the video player above.
The nine people arrested are:
- Rashaan Bangmon, 20
- Charles Davis Jr., 20
- David Gibbs, 22
- Deion Orr, 22
- Ryan Pedtke, 29
- Casey Pugh, 39
- Micah Smith, 23
- Landon Tompkins, 20
- Daitwon Williams, 20
Gibbs, Orr and Tompkins were already in custody on other charges.
Six other people have been charged, but are still wanted by police:
- Robert Carey, 19
- Tarell Davis, 22
- Jaylen Grice, 22
- Hayes Hall, 24
- Deshalon Jackson, 20
- Robert Starks, 25
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE PEOPLE ARRESTED:
MUGSHOTS | See the mugshots for all 15 people with arrest warrants
Prosecutors said 17 guns, 5.96 grams of cocaine, 26 pounds of marijuana and $32,636 were seized in the course of the investigation.
Police believe some recent shootings in the Butler-Tarkington area were part of a back-and-forth that started with a fight at the Indiana State Fair.
Prosecutors believe one of the men arrested for the Spring Mill Road home invasion in 2013, Michael Pugh, is a former member of the gang. Pugh has been sentenced to more than 200 years for his role in the crime.
The FBI worked with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Long Term Unit on the investigation and arrests.
Investigators used techniques like monitoring jail calls, wiretapping and traditional police investigation.
Prosecutors say GMG members were buying and using guns, trafficked drugs and perpetuating a culture of violence and fear to intimidate witnesses and rival gang members.
"I have never seen this type of collaboration in my 26 years in law enforcement," IMPD Chief Troy Riggs said. "It continues to grow every day."
Hogsett reiterated during the press conference that the work is not done.
"Chief Riggs has said and I echo his sentiments in this regard: The dial is not going to be moved overnight,'" Hogsett said. " We have had a systemic challenge in the city of Indianapolis for the last two or three years. While I truly believe progress is being made, on mornings like this morning it gives me hope we're making that progress."
Both Hogsett and Riggs believe the new community policing plan will help prevent gang activity and increase trust in local law enforcement.
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