SC gang sentenced for drive-by shootings following ICE HSI investigation

CHARLESTON, S.C. – One member and two associates of the “Wildboys” street gang were sentenced to federal prison June 2 after each pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering for their roles in retaliatory attacks against another rival gang in the South Carolina Lowcountry. The sentencings follow an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as well as multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.

Brian Manigo and Damien Robinson, of Walterboro, were each sentenced to 10 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel. Kelvin Mitchell, of Ruffkin, was sentenced to 39 months in federal prison. All three defendants were ordered to also pay the costs of medical care for their victims and to serve three years supervised release following their federal prison terms.

According to court documents, Manigo and Mitchell were sentenced for their roles in a May 2011 drive-by shooting aimed at a rival gang member. While Mitchell drove, Manigo fired multiple shots with an AK-47 rifle at the rival gang member who was standing in a crowd. An innocent by-stander sustained serious bodily injury as a result of the shooting.

Robinson was sentenced for his role in an April 2015 drive-by shooting aimed at members of a rival gang. Robinson was the driver of the vehicle containing two other Wildboys gang members. As Robinson drove past a residence, the two passengers fired multiple shots at the home using an AR-15 and an SKS rifle. Robinson gave the AR-15, which belonged to him, to his fellow gang member to use during the shooting. The shooting resulted in serious bodily injury to an innocent victim inside the residence.

Joshua Manigault pleaded guilty to his role in the April 2015 shooting and is awaiting sentencing. Devin Brown is scheduled for a jury trial. The charges against Brown are accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was prosecuted by Leshia Lee-Dixon of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Tameaka A. Legette, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney from the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

In addition to HSI and the ATF, this case was investigated by the Walterboro Police Department, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, Summerville Police Department, Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, First Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.