A federal jury convicted Raven Mullins, Malik Brooks and Jayon Florence of offenses connected to the Fully Blooded Felons, a Cleveland street gang, following a three-week trial.
The convictions included racketeering-related murder and conspiracy charges, kidnapping, drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Prosecutors described a hierarchy run by a Commission that enforced loyalty rules with punishments ranging from fines to death. Evidence included the 2022 kidnapping and murder of a woman shot 19 times after members suspected she was communicating with a rival gang.
The Fully Blooded Felons operated primarily on Cleveland’s east side, with activity in Akron, Youngstown and the Ohio prison system. Federal prosecutors described a structured criminal enterprise led by a body known as the Commission, which determined punishments and methods for raising money.
Mullins oversaw the Commission, with subordinate commissioners and leaders called Capos. Gang members were required to obey rules emphasizing loyalty, follow orders and maintain a code of silence known as omerta. Violations could result in fines, beatings or death.
The central murder charge involved a woman accused by gang members of communicating with a rival. On July 28, 2022, members held her captive in an apartment, where prosecutors said Mullins ordered Brooks, Florence and others to repeatedly strike and choke her.
After examining the woman’s phone, members believed she might have revealed Brooks’ location to rivals. The following day, with Mullins’ approval, the woman was driven to Cleveland’s west side and shot 19 times. Her body was left in the front seat of a stolen Kia Optima.
Prosecutors also presented evidence that Mullins and other members kidnapped and assaulted another woman between June 30 and July 5, 2022. The woman, who was later released, had earlier spoken with police about a robbery involving a gang member.
Another murder occurred September 12, 2023, when Mullins and two associates robbed and killed a victim on Cleveland’s west side. A knife sheath recovered at the scene contained Mullins’ DNA, according to evidence presented at trial.
Investigators also linked Brooks to shootings of rival gang members in July 2022. Search warrants at two stash houses yielded more than 300 grams of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, along with seven firearms.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said stopping gang violence remained a priority of the Justice Department. U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer said the verdicts reflected years of investigative work and expressed hope that victims’ families would find some closure.
FBI Cleveland’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force worked with city police, the ATF, DEA and numerous state and federal agencies. Officials said 25 members had been charged and convicted on federal counts connected with the investigation. Sentencing dates for Mullins, Brooks and Florence had not been set.
Investigators also detailed a separate kidnapping, another killing and drug trafficking operations. Searches recovered more than 300 grams of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine and seven firearms. Federal officials said 25 members had been convicted on charges connected to the investigation. The three defendants face possible life sentences; sentencing dates had not been set.