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| A scene from the punk violence video Boston Beatdown (WBBM Photo) |
Posted: Wednesday, 15 July 2009 6:49AM
Self-described founder of punk rock gang indicted
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CHICAGO (STNG) - The self-proclaimed founding member of a street gang that allegedly exert control over the hardcore punk rock music through the use of violence was arrested Monday on federal charges filed in Chicago.
Elgin Nathan James allegedly extorted $5,000 from an unnamed victim, identified in a federal criminal complaint as "a popular recording artist from the Chicago area" while the victim’s band was on tour in late 2005 and early 2006, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago.
James, believed to be in his mid-to-late 30s, was arrested Monday by the FBI at his home in Los Angeles, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's office. He was charged with attempted extortion in a criminal complaint filed July 10 and unsealed Tuesday following his arrest.
He is expected to have an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon in L.A.
According to the complaint, James is a founding member of a street gang called “FSU,” which stands for “F*** S*** Up,” and “Friends Stand United,” and has stated in magazine and TV interviews that their goal is to establish control over the hardcore punk rock club scene.
They have boasted through the media and in a self-produced video that one of their tenets is to outnumber any individual with whom they have a conflict and inflict grave bodily harm in a mass beating, the complaint alleges.
In October 2008, FSU was featured in a History Channel episode of “Gangland" describing their formation in Boston and development into a national gang with chapters in several cities including Chicago, the affidavit states.
In July and August 2005, the victim’s band was taking part in an alternative music festival that tours North America. One night he went to visit the tour bus of a band on the tour and had a disagreement with a band employee, whom he later learned was associated with an FSU member in Chicago.
On Oct. 7, 2005, the victim’s band was in the Boston area and six unknown men approached him, pushed him to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched him. The victim and an individual who came to his aid were both injured and the victim’s band did not perform, fearing further attack, the charges allege.
In late October or early November 2005, James allegedly telephoned the victim in Mokena and said he could resolve the victim’s dispute with FSU if the victim made a $5,000 donation. The victim refused.
A few weeks later, the victim and several friends were jumped by a group of men in Orlando, Fla., and at least two were severely beaten, the complaint alleges. The victim then contacted the FBI in Chicago and agreed to cooperate and record additional alls, according to the complaint.
In December, the victim agreed to pay the $5,000 to James, and on Feb. 25, 2006, under FBI surveillance, the victim met James outside a southern California club and handed him an envelope containing $5,000, according to the complaint.
Under federal law, the attempted extortion charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
More information at: http://chicago.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/cg071409.htm
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