Jacksonville police arrest 10 Problem Child Entertainment gang members

MUGSHOTS: 10 suspected gang members arrested in Jacksonville  

The Jacksonville police announced the arrests in a racketeering case of gang members who police say were individuals involved in multiple murders.

Sheriff Mike Williams said in a press conference the members from the Problem Child Entertainment gang were arrested Nov. 10, concluding the case.

The long-term investigation involved multiple investigation units, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation of the Northwest Jacksonville gang began in the Summer of 2014 when there had been dozens of firearm-related incidents, including multiple murders, Williams said.

Alleged members Henry Hays, 18 and Kquame Richardson, 18, have since been arrested in 22-month-old Aiden McClendon's death .

Police said that murder led police to understand that PCE was fronting itself as an entertainment group but was actually an organized street-gang committing the crimes.

Investigators focused on identifying the gang leaders in order to dismantle the operation.

Williams said the members have been involved in murders, attempted murders, armed robberies aggravated assaults, burglaries, thefts and drug sales.

The 10 members were arrested for violation of racketeering laws and conspiracy to violent Rico. These charges are first-degree felonies.

Some of the arrested members face additional charges and are awaiting trial.

SEE ALSO: Second person charged in murder of Jacksonville toddler Aiden McClendon

"This investigation shows the commitment we share with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime in our community using a laser-focused approach to concentrate on a very small percentage of prolific offenders that we know who are committing the majority of violent crime in our community," Williams said. "Our community has had enough."

Cox Media Group