The group was allegedly involved with a large drug seizure in June and a shooting death in September. The searches resulted in the recovery of approximately 700 pounds of marijuana with a street value estimated to be around $2 million, 10 firearms, multiple vehicles and more than $50,000.
John Andrews Jr., 36, of Hamilton was arrested and charged with several federal felony drug and firearms-related offenses. Vince Sanford, 43, of Hamilton, was arrested for felony trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs.
According to federal court documents, Andrews is one of two men investigators say were supplying large quantities of marijuana to rival gangs in Hamilton.
Investigators said since “December of 2019, FBI Cincinnati, the Butler County BURN Task Force, Hamilton Police Department, Hamilton County RENU Task Force and the Middletown Police been involved with a multi-agency joint investigation into an ongoing violent and deadly gang turf war occurring in Hamilton and the surrounding areas between the “Thirty Gang” and the “RU Gang.”
Hamilton Police have identified 40 known profiled members of the Thirty Gang and 67 known profiled members of the RU Gang, according to court documents.
“The two groups have been engaged in an ongoing gang turf war around the city of Hamilton since at least 2016. This turf war has resulted in approximately 10 homicides between Thirty Gang and RU Gang members as well as another four documented shootings between the two gangs that did not result in any death,” the federal court complaint states.
The court records state the “multiple sources” indicate Andrews, known as “Bark Bark” and another man were operating a large drug trafficking organization and are primary marijuana suppliers for both both gangs.
Andrews and the other man acquired significant quantities of high-grade marijuana from California that they then sold for around $3,000 per pound. The court document says Andrews is primarily responsible for hand-to-hand drug transactions in Hamilton.
Investigators indicated Andrews. who is a already a convicted felon, operated his drug operation from his residence in the 4400 block of Bingham Street.
“Investigators believe that the execution of a federal arrest warrant of Andrews will have positive impact on the ongoing gang turf war and for the community of Hamilton and surrounding area,” states a court document dated March 10.
Andrews was involved in the Sept. 12 fatal shooting of Jason Hendricks, who along with two other men, went to the Bingham Street residence and tried to rob Andrews, but Andrews shot Hendricks in self-defense.
Brandon Hill and Damian Owens were indicted in February by a Butler County grand jury for murder, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and felonious assault for their alleged part in the crime that led to Hendrick’s death. Prosecutors alleged Hill and Owens went with Hendricks to the residence to rob Andrews. The indictment was under seal until Thursday.
Between the dates of Jan. 25 to Feb. 5, 2022, undercover agents purchased marijuana directly from Andrews. The documents also say methamphetamine was at Andrews’ residence. On Jan. 11, 2022, Andrews made a social media post that seemed to indicate he needed someone “whacked” at Warren Correctional Institution, according to the federal court documents.
The evidence outlined in the court documents signed by FBI Special Agent Amy Dalpiaz led to search warrant executions on Tuesday.
Andrews is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
He is in federal custody awaiting the case to be presented to a grand jury, according to court records.
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