NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A special unit within the Norfolk Jail is solving crimes by keeping a close eye and ear on activity by gang members.
Sheriff Joe Baron says his Security Threat Unit can gather intel on murders, robberies, assaults and other crimes. It recently provided a break for another agency that was looking for a suspect in a triple shooting.
Hampton Police were looking for a man after a deadly triple shooting in March on Kathann Drive. They didn’t have a name — all they knew was he was a gang member who went by the nickname “Messiah.”
That was enough information for Sgt. Steve Hoggard, the head of the STU.
“In my 35 years of law enforcement, I only heard that name one time. It was distinctive. We knew of a high ranking Gangster Disciple who used the name Messiah, and that was Donte Hampton.”
U.S. Marshals used that information and arrested Hampton. He’s now behind bars and facing several charges in the triple shooting.
Hoggard says jailers can identify gang members from tattoos, but also from inmates’ associates when they eat and work out. Phone calls are also fertile ground, even though inmates are informed with every call that they are being monitored.
He says recent surveillance of gang communication has shown an alarming increase in witness intimidation.
