RALEIGH, N.C. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - North Carolina, Eastern), published as received.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Troy Davis, aka “G-Trip” and “Trip” was sentenced yesterday to 420 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine, five (5) kilograms or more of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  On August 9, 2022, Davis pled guilty to all charges. Davis resided in Los Angeles, California, and traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina where he trafficked drugs.

“Our efforts to disrupt and dismantle dangerous drug organizations through this investigation has led to more than twenty indictments, and this prosecution resulted in removing a high-ranking national gang leader from our streets for 35 years,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Raleigh is a safer place now that Davis, and many of his coconspirators are facing time behind bars.”

“An incredible amount of work went into building this case and taking this very dangerous individual off our streets,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Through a collaborative effort with local, state, and federal partners, we brought a high-ranking gang member and one of the area’s main suppliers of illegal narcotics to justice and bettered public safety across the community.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Davis was the Los Angeles based source of supply for Dexter Maxwell, the leader of the Eight Tray Gangster Crips (ETGC) for North and South Carolina prior to his arrest. Maxwell has also pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and is awaiting sentencing.

Davis held the rank of “G”, which is one of the highest levels of leadership in the ETGC organization.  Davis used his influence to direct members of his gang in distributing and selling methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in Raleigh.  Davis personally flew from Los Angeles to Raleigh and lived for a month on Glenwood Avenue to help the local Raleigh ETGC learn how to cut the narcotics to increase profits for the organization. Davis was heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the Raleigh ETGC. 

For approximately two decades, ETGC has operated in North Carolina, including in the North Carolina prison system.  The ETGC is recognized as a national criminal street gang originating out of Los Angeles and has a reputation for a propensity for violence that includes several homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies.  Members and associates of ETGC have been involved in numerous violent crimes that have resulted in the loss of life, decrease in quality of life, and damage to societal norms in and around the City of Raleigh.  The ETGC members committed acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline, both within the gang and against non-gang members.  Davis has a long history of violence and began committing acts of violence at age thirteen (13) and continued committing acts of violence against cooperators while in custody after pleading guilty in this case. Because of his violent acts, he is currently in solitary confinement.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. To date, more than 20 individuals have been indicted because of this investigation, including Deandre Earp, who was sentenced in January 2022 to 40 years in prison. Most of the defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Raleigh Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification and United States Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Sandling prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.  5:19-cr-00395-D-6.

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