BELLE GLADE, Fla. — The “Nawf Way” gang operated in western Palm Beach County’s Belle Glade, an agricultural town near the edge of Lake Okeechobee.
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Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Capt. Michael Ott said it had started as the Four Way crew in the area of Northwest 11th Street in 2020.
Ott said the gang was linked to drug trafficking, over 100 firearms, 62 shootings, homicides, attempted homicides, and armed burglaries and robberies.
“There are other gangs in our western community, but this one was significant,” Ott said during a news conference on Thursday.
Ott stood near a poster with 19 pictures of Black men and teens, whom Sheriff Rick Bradshaw identified as “bad guys.” Ott said deputies arrested one more suspect after they printed the poster.
“They think they own the streets, they don’t own the streets,” Bradshaw said. “The community owns the streets.”
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Several PBSO units worked with the FBI and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, as they identified the 20 gang members, also known as “The Sharks,” according to Ott.
“This has been a one-year enforcement initiative aimed at dismantling this gang’s enterprise,” said Ott, who estimated the gang has about 50 members.
“The message to the bad guys is: It’s not a matter of if, we’re going to get you! It’s a matter of when because we have a room reserved for you right back here at my hotel,” Bradshaw said.
Ott said the 20 suspects in custody faced charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
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The list of suspects in custody
Jadarrious Tyler, known as “Baby J,” is 18.
Donnell Johnson, known as “Doo Doo Bug,” is 18.
Derrick Salter, known as D3,″ is 18.
Khanye Bullard, known as “K7,″ is 18.
Marterrius Jean, known as “Fat,” is 19.
Larryun Johnson, known as “Bay Bay,” is 21.
Danny Tarver, known as “DT,” is 21.
Devonta Ward, known as “YGD,” is 22.
Trevanta Holton, known as “TJ,” is 23.
Daequan Kennedy, known as “Tony Hawk,” is 24.
Eddie Holland, known as “Reyo,” is 24.
Devonte McKay, known as “YG,” is 25.
Anthony Bradley, known as “YB,” is 26.
Watch the news conference
