6 Minnesota men federally indicted on conspiracy, firearms, violent carjacking charges

Six Minnesota men have been charged with a federal superseding indictment for conspiracy, firearms violations and violent carjacking charges.

The charges against the men, who range in age from 18 to 23, state that they were active members of the street gang known as Top 5 since at least May 2020. The indictment alleges the gang made money through criminal acts including thefts, robberies and distribution of controlled substances. Proceeds obtained were then distributed among gang members.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the gang members would use, carry and possess firearms to commit their criminal acts and to carry out violent acts against rival gang members. The members also used social media to discuss criminal activity, recruit new members and display possessions.

The allegations say, on Aug. 25, 2020, at about 2:30 a.m., two of the men carjacked a 2006 BMW 530i near the 1200 block of Jackson Street in St. Paul, holding the driver at gunpoint and physically assaulting the victim. Later that morning, the members are accused of carjacking a 2012 Dodge Charger at gunpoint from the parking lot of a restaurant near White Bear Avenue. Then, also that morning, the group allegedly carjacked a 2012 Subaru Outback at gunpoint from Maria Avenue near Metropolitan State University. During those carjackings, the members are accused of illegally possessing 10 semiautomatic pistols and committing other violent crimes.

The name of the men and the charges they face are as follows:

Joshoamei DeAngelo Richardson, 19, of St. Paul, is charged with:
• One count of conspiracy to use, carry, and brandish firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence,
• One count of felon in possession of a firearm,
• Two counts of aiding and abetting carjacking,
• Two counts of aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

James Brock Williams, Jr., 20, of St. Paul, is charged with:
• One count of conspiracy to use, carry, and brandish firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence,
• Three counts of aiding and abetting carjacking,
• Three counts of aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Isaiah Stacy Alstad, 22, of Columbia Heights, is charged with:
• One count of conspiracy to use, carry, and brandish firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence,
• Two counts of felon in possession of a firearm,
• Two counts of aiding and abetting carjacking,
• Two counts of aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Clifton Germaine Walker, Jr., 23, of St. Paul, is charged with:
• One count of conspiracy to use, carry, and brandish firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence,
• One count of aiding and abetting carjacking,
• One count of aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence,
• One count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Jordan Sydney Shamah Rhodes, 22, of White Bear Lake, is charged with:
• One count of conspiracy to use, carry, and brandish firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence,
• Three counts of unlawful controlled-substance user in possession of firearms.

Eric Troy Ballard, Jr., 18, of St. Paul, is charged with:
• One count of conspiracy to use, carry, and brandish firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence,
• Three counts of aiding and abetting carjacking,
• Three counts of aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.