Community on Navajo Nation terrorized by 'Red Skin Kingz' gang

Friday, July 6, 2018  

A small community on the Navajo Nation was terrorized by the "Red Skin Kingz," a violent gang whose leaders were finally brought to justice after years of brutal crimes.

Devan Leonard, the leader of the gang, was sentenced to 50 years for the murders of three men on the reservation. Kyle Gray received 30 years for one of those murders while Lucille Leonard got 10 years for helping the gang carry out its drug trafficking activities.

"This case is a testament to our office’s commitment to use every available resource to combat gang violence in Arizona and to bring justice to the victims of violent crime,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange in Arizona said in a May 10 press release.

But residents of Lukachukai, a community in Arizona near the New Mexico border, remain wary, The Associated Press reported. Some don't like to talk about the gang out of fear something might happen.

"You start opening your mouth and saying this and that," Philip Sandoval Jr, the vice president of the Lukachukai Chapter, told the AP. "You don't know who is still out there."

Two additional defendants -- Uriah Shay and Randall Begay -- are still waiting to be sentenced for their roles in the gang, the AP reported. All five were charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal law commonly used to bring down criminal organizations.

"All of the activity undertaken by the Red Skin Kingz was based on their desire to dominate, create an atmosphere of fear, and have power on the reservation, the superseding indictment read.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona, the gang has been responsible for at least three murders, attempted murder, aggravated assaults, carjacking, kidnappings, sexual assaults, and drug trafficking.

Read More on the Story:
Navajo community still uneasy after gang members arrested (The Associated Press July 5, 2018)
3 gang members head to prison for crimes on Navajo Nation (The Associated Press May 10, 2018)