16 Houston YNS Gang Members Face Federal Charges for Drug Trafficking and Armed Robbery
HOUSTON, Texas — Sixteen alleged members and associates of a Houston street gang known as YNS are facing federal charges involving cocaine trafficking, armed robbery conspiracies and firearms offenses following an investigation into the group’s activities in the Greenspoint area.
A federal grand jury indicted six defendants, while 10 others were charged through federal criminal complaints.
According to federal prosecutors, the defendants allegedly participated in conspiracies involving large quantities of cocaine and plans to carry out armed robberies.
All 16 defendants have made initial appearances in federal court and face potential sentences of up to life in prison if convicted.
Federal Prosecutors Identify 16 Defendants
The defendants, all Houston residents, are:
- Jocquez Frye, 18
- Darrell Sampson, 18
- Jacob Barrett, 18
- Kristian Winters, 18
- Jaquan McClendon, 19
- Triwayne Davison, 20
- Donfarius Holmes, 24
- Haven Duncan, 29
- Jason Pittman, 34
- Ledanyan Bennett, 19
- Alex Davison, 32
- Monterio Whitfield, 30
- William Nolan-Waddell, 34
- Javonte Hoyle, 28
- Will Clark, 28
- Xzaveon Francis, 28
The charges across the cases include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Prosecutors Describe YNS as Violent Greenspoint Gang
During federal detention hearings, prosecutors described YNS as a violent street gang operating in Houston’s Greenspoint area. According to the Justice Department, YNS stands for “Young N**** Shooters” or “Young N**** Steppers”.
The court heard allegations linking the group to homicides, assaults, home invasions, vehicle burglaries, drug trafficking and firearms trafficking.
Federal authorities also presented social media posts and videos allegedly showing YNS members displaying firearms equipped with machine gun conversion devices, assaulting a rival gang member and intimidating rivals outside their homes.
Other messages and social media posts allegedly showed members discussing previous and planned violent crimes, firearms trafficking and threats against rival gangs.
Defendant Linked to Carjacking of Former Houston Texans Player
During the detention hearing, the court heard evidence allegedly linking Jocquez Frye, 18, to the January 4 armed carjacking of a former Houston Texans football player at his residence.
Frye was among six defendants who appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo on September 28.
The other five were Darrell Sampson, Jacob Barrett, Kristian Winters, Jaquan McClendon and Triwayne Davison.
Judge Palermo ordered all six to remain in federal custody pending further criminal proceedings.
Alleged Gang Members Planned Robbery of 42-Kilogram Cocaine Stash House
Federal prosecutors also presented allegations that YNS members planned to rob what they believed was a drug stash house containing 42 kilograms of cocaine.
On July 23, several alleged members met with a confidential informant before traveling to the location.
According to the allegations, they carried firearms and wore black clothing, masks and gloves.
In another alleged robbery plot, Sampson, Barrett and Winters planned to rob an individual at gunpoint following what they believed would be a large-scale cocaine transaction.
Authorities arrested the three on September 23.
Ten Additional Defendants Accused in 50-Kilogram Cocaine Robbery Plot
Ten other defendants appeared before Judge Palermo for detention hearings September 29 and 30.
They were Donfarius Holmes, Haven Duncan, Jason Pittman, Ledanyan Bennett, Alex Davison, Monterio Whitfield, William Nolan-Waddell, Javonte Hoyle, Will Clark and Xzaveon Francis.
During those hearings, prosecutors alleged the defendants conspired to transport what they believed was 50 kilograms of cocaine to a buyer before robbing the individual following the delivery.
At the time of their arrests, authorities recovered firearms, zip ties and gloves.
Defendants Face Up to Life in Federal Prison
If convicted, the 16 defendants face potential sentences of up to life in federal prison and possible maximum fines of $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by FBI Houston and the Houston Police Department, with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian Edwards and Samuel Blackington are prosecuting the cases.
