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Alleged gang leader convicted of racketeering
Posted: Aug 12, 2011 3:59 PM by AP Posted by James H Egbert
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A man who authorities say led one of South Florida's most violent gangs has been convicted of federal racketeering charges.
A Palm Beach County jury on Friday convicted 30-year-old Futo Charles of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Each charge could carry 30 years in prison.
Authorities in Palm Beach County have linked Charles' Top 6 gang to 14 homicides and more than 150 shootings in the past few years - all part of a gang war. Authorities estimate the gang grew to more than 400 members.
Charles, who says Top 6 is a rap group, had faced a slew of charges, including drug possession and attempted murder.
Witness Eguel Geffrard was supposed to testify in the trial on Monday, but police found him shot to death in a parking lot that same day.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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