Members of 'Dump Squad' sentenced

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Three members of the "Dump Squad," a gang which operated in the Ridley Circle, Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court areas of Newport News were sentenced Wednesday.

Twan Bugg, 23, and Samuel Bates, 27, both of Newport News, VA were sentenced to 30 years in prison and 25 years in prison respectively, according to a release from the US Department of Justice. Ty Davis, 25, also of Newport News, VA was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison, he was also a member of the gang.

According to the release, court documents indicate all three were members of the "Dump Squad" a criminal organization that grew from a national gang known as the "Bloods." The defendants used intimidation, violence, and threats of violence – including the murders of Terrell Williams on Nov. 6, 2006; Tiarra Campbell on Jan. 17, 2007; and Tony Vaughan on Dec. 24, 2007.

The defendants were named in a 38 count indictment returned in March of this year. The indictment included charges involving a criminal racketeering enterprise that engaged in acts of violence, including murders, attempted murders, robberies, assaults, arson, witness intimidation, narcotics distribution and weapons violations.

All three defendants pleaded guilty in April to their participation in a conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity. Davis, Bugg and Bates pled guilty to additional charges.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Newport News Police Department, Hampton Police Department and the Virginia State Police.