Central Texas gang members receive life sentences in murder, drug and robbery cases

Two men from Temple, Texas, have been sentenced to life in federal prison for crimes including conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking and robbery of other drug dealers.

Atorius Marquis Williams, aka “Lil Man,” 27, and Trashawn Lamar Alexander, aka “Mad Max,” 30, were convicted of violating the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization Act and the Hobbs Act, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release on Monday.

In February, a federal jury found them guilty on all counts.

During the trial, documents and evidence presented showed that Williams and Alexander were members and accomplices of a criminal organization called Killas With Aggression, which was involved in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and a conspiracy to rob other persons who distributed controlled substances, the press release said.

Authorities said Williams and Alexander, along with co-defendant Demonta Daniels, also known as “Tado” and “Tato,” conspired to commit four murders, multiple violent assaults, extortion, drug trafficking and armed robberies in furtherance of the criminal enterprise. The indictment alleges that one murder was committed by Williams on Sept. 30, 2017, in Belton; a second was committed by Williams and Alexander on Dec. 10, 2017, in Temple; a third was committed by Williams and Daniels on Jan. 16, 2018, in Temple; and a fourth was committed by Williams, Daniels and Alexander on Jan. 31, 2018, in Temple.

The press release said they also conspired to interfere with commerce through robberies, physical violence and threats of physical violence in order to steal controlled substances and proceeds from persons involved in the illegal drug trade.

Williams, Daniels and Alexander were also found guilty of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, which was a robbery. Alexander was found guilty of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

On Monday, Alexander and Williams were sentenced to life imprisonment on three counts and 20 years in prison on three other counts.

“The outcome in this case is a testament to this office's commitment to seeking justice for members of our community,” said Jaime Esparza, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas. “It reflects the hard work and interagency collaboration of our federal and state partners, whose efforts brought this case to a successful conclusion. Violence in our communities will not be tolerated and justice will be served.”

The verdict against Daniels will be announced later.

Seven other co-defendants in the case had already been convicted.

Dominic Johnson was sentenced in January 2023 to five years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute; Desmond Wilkerson was sentenced in September 2023 to five years and 11 months in prison for conspiracy to commit organized crime; James Roy Whitfield Jr. was sentenced on February 13 to 8.5 years in prison for obstruction of public commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting; Jason Mayse was sentenced on February 13 to three years and four months for conspiracy to possess 100 kilograms or more of marijuana with intent to distribute; Jyaraciel Whitfield was sentenced in September 2023 to 12 years in prison for obstruction of public commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting; Christopher Meyers was sentenced in August 2022 to 12 years in prison for conspiracy to commit organized crime; and Reginald Williams was sentenced in September 2023 to eight years in prison for obstruction of public commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza announced the verdicts.

The FBI, Temple, Belton, Cameron and Hearne police departments, Bell County Organized Crime Unit, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case with assistance from the Killeen Police Department and Bell County Sheriff's Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Blanton led the prosecution.