Minneapolis Gang Member Convicted in 2021 of Retaliatory Murder

Northeast Radio SD News – Minneapolis, MN - A federal jury in Minneapolis has convicted 35-year-old William Johnson for his role in a violent street gang and the August 2021 murder of an individual targeted during a gang-related retaliation.

The conviction follows a two-week trial and marks the fifth successful trial by the Justice Department’s Criminal Division against members of the “Highs,” a criminal enterprise operating in North Minneapolis.

According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Johnson was a member of the Highs, a gang that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue. The group maintained control through various criminal activities, including murders, firearms crimes, and robberies. Members were expected to retaliate against rivals, specifically the “Lows” gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue.

The incident at the center of the trial stemmed from an escalation in gang violence on Aug. 7, 2021, when a rival killed a prominent Highs member at a local gas station. The following day, Johnson attended a memorial at the exact location where firearms were distributed, and plans for retaliation were discussed.

Later that day, Johnson drove himself and two other Highs members to the Skyline Market, a known hangout for the rival gang. Evidence showed the group opened fire on a victim they mistakenly believed to be a member of the Lows. As the victim fled into a nearby alley, he was pursued and shot by two juveniles associated with the gang who were traveling in a stolen vehicle. The victim died at the scene.

“This conviction reflects sustained effort by investigators and prosecutors,” said Travis Riddle, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “ATF and our partners will continue holding every individual involved in this RICO conspiracy accountable for their actions.”

The verdict is part of a broader federal crackdown on gang violence in the region. To date, 42 members or associates of the Highs have been convicted on federal charges.

“William Johnson and the [Highs] criminal street gang did not simply commit isolated acts of violence — they imposed control through killings, robberies, and assaults,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chicago Field Office.

Johnson faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

Other defendants previously convicted in connection with this case include Dantrell Johnson and Gregory Hamilton, both of whom received life sentences. Another co-defendant, Keon Pruitt, was sentenced to more than 37 years in prison.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS-CI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and several other state and local agencies.