Gang suspect appears in District Court
Published 8:47 pm Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The primary suspect in a video where multiple suspects beat down another juvenile on the 2800 block of Monroe Street for a possible gang initiation activity appeared before the District Court Monday.
Alvin James Bolden, 18, was arrested and booked in the Dallas County Jail under a $15,000 bond, while five other suspects who were all juveniles were placed in the Dallas County Detention Center. Four of the juveniles attend Southside High School and one attends Tipton Middle School.
Monday District Judge Bob Armstrong set a preliminary hearing for Bolden for May 4 at his arraignment. Bolden is charged with compelling street gang membership, where officials believe he encouraged the other juveniles in the video to beat the juvenile victim for gang initiation. Someone who was involved in the beating is believed to have captured the video. District Attorney Michael Jackson said the consequences for gang activity are severe and Bolden could get up to 10 years in jail.
“The process is just beginning with this defendant,” Jackson said about Bolden. “He will go to the preliminary hearing then be sent to a grand jury. There are very serious consequences when young adults join gangs and for compelling street gang membership — you can get up to 10 years [in jail] on that.