The Selma Times-Journal

The St. Phillips Street Boys, whose alleged drug gang reportedly held an entire community hostage, were brought down Wednesday during an early morning raid in which five houses were simultaneously shelled with percussion and flash bombs.

A dozen Selma defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury last week in Mobile on conspiracy and drug charges. At 6 a.m. Wednesday more than 150 agents teamed with local law enforcement to serve arrest warrants and conduct searches of the residences. There were 10 of the 12 taken into custody. Authorities said the other two arrests were eminent.

Police seized nine guns, an undetermined amount of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, marijuana and “thousands of dollars in cash,” said Deborah J. Rhodes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. The exact amounts, she said, would be determined after the evidence is weighed.

The results, which culminated a 15-month investigation, were announced at a press conference outside the Federal Building. The indictment alleges drug activities dating back to January 1999. If convicted, members of The St. Phillips Street Boys could receive from 10 years to life in federal prison.

“The St. Phillips Boys ran a (drug) business from these houses, and they used guns to protect their business,” Rhodes said.

Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin and Dallas County Sheriff Harris Huffman were joined by members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, FBI, Alabama State Troopers, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives in making the announcement following the raid.

ATF Regional Agent in Charge, Mike Messenger, said several of the alleged drug gang members had felony convictions, which made it illegal to possess firearms. They will be facing federal firearm violations in addition to drug charges.

Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson said area residents cheered. Undercover drug officers said residents lined the street and openly clapped their hands as police vehicles sealed off the area.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. said the local war on drugs won’t stop there. “It is time for family to do the things necessary to save the ones you know are involved in something illegal and by chance were missed in the operation. Job training is free and companies are hiring. There are legal ways to make life work.”

The indictment charges all 12 defendants with a conspiracy, beginning more than 6 years ago, to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine. Eight of the defendants are charged with substantive counts involving possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute on various dates during 2005 and 2006. Several cases have also been built on defendants with possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.

Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson said area residents cheered. Undercover drug officers said residents lined the street and openly clapped their hands as police vehicles sealed off the area.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. said the local war on drugs won’t stop there. “It is time for family to do the things necessary to save the ones you know are involved in something illegal and by chance were missed in the operation. Job training is free and companies are hiring. There are legal ways to make life work.”

The indictment charges all 12 defendants with a conspiracy, beginning more than six years ago, to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine. Eight of the defendants are charged with substantive counts involving possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute on various dates during 2005 and 2006. Several cases have also been built on defendants with possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.