United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SAN DIEGO – Two gang members of the Westside Crips pleaded guilty on Aug. 31, 2018, for their participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving sex trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and other violent crimes as well as possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

“One of the top priorities for the Drug Enforcement Administration in San Diego is dismantling violent street gangs that profit by selling drugs in our community. The profit, cold hard cash, in turn fuels the violence on our streets,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “DEA will continue to target and put away violent street gang members like Mr. Austin and Mr. McHenry because it makes San Diego County a safer place to live.”

Corey DeShawn Austin, aka “Westwood,” and Travion McHenry, aka “Too Much”, admitted their respective membership and association with the Westside Crips, who primarily operated in Oceanside and elsewhere. Sentencing for Austin is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2018. McHenry is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 19, 2018.

In furtherance of the RICO conspiracy, Austin, the lead defendant, admitted he engaged in promoting prostitution of adult females between 2013 and 2015, including while he was in state custody for another offense. Austin further admitted he possessed narcotics for sale in 2013 with co-defendant McHenry and posted photos of himself throwing up gang signs and wearing gang colors showing his allegiance to Westside Crips on social media between 2013 and 2016.

To further his role in the RICO conspiracy, McHenry admitted he committed a 2012 home invasion robbery with two other co-conspirators during which the victims were robbed at gunpoint. He also admitted he possessed narcotics for sale in 2013 with co-defendant Austin and posted photos of himself throwing up gang signs and wearing gang colors showing his allegiance to Westside Crips on social media between 2012 and 2014.

The remaining defendant, William Bright, is set for a motion hearing on Oct. 1, 2018. The other defendants have pleaded guilty and many have been sentenced for their participation in the RICO conspiracy.

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

Other Agencies: United States Attorney’s Office, Oceanside Police Department, Internal Revenue Service.

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