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SALT LAKE CITY — A juror called to serve in the case against members of a violent street gang knew nothing about them when the trial began in federal court a month ago.
"I had never heard of TCG at all," the juror said Friday.
TCG stands for Tongan Crip Gang.
But the juror, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fears retaliation, got to know the gang well during a monthlong trial that ended Thursday. Testimony of robberies and beatings and death struck a fearful chord from the outset.
"I remember thinking this is real life. This is not a movie. This is real stuff. This is scary," the juror told the Deseret News.
Another juror sent a note to the judge asking for reassurance that the jury would not face retaliation because of its decisions, which nearly caused U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell to declare a mistrial.
Despite the fears, the juror pressed on with the panel, and after two grueling days of deliberation, convicted six men and acquitted one.
"I want to emphasize that we never let the fear factor into our decisions as to guilt or innocence," the juror said.
Convicted in the case were Eric Kamahele, 24, aka "Smooth," Mataika Tuai, 22, aka "Fish," David Kamoto, 24, aka "D-Down," Daniel Maumau, 25, aka "D-Loc," Kepa Maumau, 24, aka "Kap-Loc," and Sitamipa Toki, 28, aka "Tok-Loc." The jury acquitted David Walsh, 32 aka "D-Nutt."
Their crimes included robberies, assaults and use of firearms during crimes of violence committed in support of an ongoing criminal organization.
The men were among 17 suspected TCG members indicted last year under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act known as RICO, which prosecutors call powerful tool for dismantling and disrupting street gangs.
Authorities believe the convictions throw a wrench into violent criminal activity on the Wasatch Front.
"While previous state and federal prosecutions have held some individual members of TCG accountable for their crimes, many gang members have continued in an escalating and alarming pattern of violence, said U.S. Attorney David B. Barlow. "While we likely haven’t heard the last of TCG, we are confident these convictions will have a significant impact on this gang.”
The juror called the case complex and confusing, partly because of the number of defendants and lawyers. Jurors at one point had the judge draw a map of where all the players sat in the courtroom so they could keep everyone straight. The juror used it every day to keep things straight while taking "very extensive" notes during the trial.
"For me personally, I tried hard not to make any decisions about guilt or innocence until we got back to the jury room to deliberate," the juror said.
Once there, they juror said, the panel carefully weighed all the evidence.
"For some counts, where we found a particular defendant not guilty, some of us felt that the person was quite possibly guilty, but there was just not enough evidence to convict," the juror said. "Conversely, there were some counts on some defendants that some of us really felt sympathy for, but the evidence was strong and we felt we had no choice but to convict."
FBI Special Agent in Charge David Johnson said the convictions send a message to TCG and other gang members and leaders in the Salt Lake area that authorities are serious about making the streets safer.
The FBI estimates there are fewer than 100 TCG members in Utah, but what they lack in numbers, they make up for in violence, and seem to have a particular hold on the Glendale area.
"They were a significant threat, one that needed to be dealt with properly," Johnson said.
The juror said it was not the jury's goal to send such a message but, "it is gratifying to know that this type of crime can and will be prosecuted successfully."
Evidence presented at trial showed the TCG members committed violent crime for common purposes, including promoting and enhancing the reputation and position of the gang with respect to rivals and protecting its turf through intimidation and violence.
The jury found Kamahele, Kepa Maumau, and Tuai guilty of conspiring to conduct the affairs of the gang through a pattern of racketeering.
The jury also convicted Kamahele of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; three counts of using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of robbery.
Tuai was also convicted of a robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Kamoto was convicted of one count of robbery. He was found not guilty of maiming in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering and two firearms charges.
Kepa Maumau, convicted in the RICO conspiracy count, was also found guilty of robbery, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and three counts of using or carrying a firearm during a violent crime.
Daniel Maumau was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. He was acquitted of conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury and a second firearms count.
Toki was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. He was acquitted of conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury and a second firearms count.
All seven face lengthy prison time. They will be each be sentenced individually during December and January.
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Written by Dennis Romboy with contributions from Sarah Dallof.
