FBI dismantles violent gang in Navajo Nation

(KUTV) -- The FBI dismantled a violent gang in the Navajo Nation Thursday afternoon.

Devan Edward Leonard, 28, Kyle Filbert Gray, 26, and Lucille Jean Leonard, 48, members of the Navajo Nation, of Lukachukai, Arizona, were sentenced by the United States District Court for the District of Arizona following their respective guilty pleas to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy for their participation in the Red Skin Kingz (RSK) gang.

The RSK was a violent gang that operated on the eastern side of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, and were responsible for at least three murders, attempted murder, aggravated assaults, carjacking, kidnappings, sexual assaults and drug trafficking among other crimes.

On or between Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, 2014, Devan Leonard and another RSK member shot and killed two men and then transported the bodies to a remote "wash" in Lukachukai, where the bodies were dismembered, burned and buried to conceal them. On Dec. 16 that year, Kyle Gray and Devan Leonard shot and killed another victim immediately following a drug trafficking transaction. Later, they transported the body to a remote sheep camp on the reservation and dismembered and burned the victim's body as they forced the victim's girlfriend to watch.

Lucille Leonard was in a leadership role in RSK, mostly in participating in and overseeing RSK's drug trafficking activities, including collecting debts owed to the gang.

“The investigation and prosecution of these RSK gang members required tremendous work by FBI, Arizona DPS, Navajo Nation DPS and the prosecution team,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “I applaud their dedication and perseverance in obtaining the sentences imposed today. This case is a testament to our office’s commitment to use every available resource to combat gang violence in Arizona and to bring justice to the victims of violent crime.”

The court sentenced Devan Leonard to 50 years of imprisonment,; Kyle Gray to 30 years; and, Lucille Leonard to 10 years.