Gang members accused of seven murders

U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said, "This was a very, very violent active street gang.”

Ryan said, "The scourge of gangs holds residents hostage in their own communities by living in constant fear from retribution and random violence. This is intolerable.”

Ryan said the conspiracy was built around a drug enterprise and that gang members allegedly committed violence including murder to control their territory, protect the conspiracy and intimidate possible witnesses to prevent them from testifying.

The U.S. attorney said eight of the defendants, who are accused of crimes that led to murder, could face the death penalty.

San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong said, "This indictment sends a clear message that we are working in a collaborative effort with other law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime in San Francisco. These shootings and homicides must stop.”

The indictment is the third in an expanding series of charges in the case. Three people were charged in March with committing one murder in aid of racketeering in the Sunnydale project last year.

Two more people were added in a superseding indictment in July. The most recent indictment adds seven more defendants, including two who are fugitives and who are not identified, and expands the charges to include seven murders and seven attempted murders.

Edgar Diaz, 20, Don Johnson, 19, and Ricky Rollins, 19, were arrested in March and are in federal custody. They will make an initial appearance before a federal magistrate in San Francisco on Thursday.

Allan Calloway, 23, and Christopher Byes, 24, were arrested on Oct. 27 and made an initial appearance before a magistrate on Oct. 28, Ryan said.

Five other defendants are in state prison and will be brought to federal court at a later date. They include Robert Calloway, 21, and Dornell Ellis, 24, who were initially indicted in July, and Emile Fort, 24, Paris Ragland, 20, and Ronnie Calloway, 25.

The other two defendants are fugitives.