8th man accused of gang activities

8/31/2012

A Toledo man was arraigned in Toledo Municipal Court on Thursday, charged with one count of participating in a criminal gang.

Dominique Buford, 20, of 1410 Norwood Ave. was ordered held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $25,000 bond; a surety bond was posted after the appearance.

He is one of at least eight men who police have accused of being members of the Smith Park Mafia, an inner city gang.

Others arrested are Jan Brooks, 22, of 3921 Bowman St.; Tevin Redd, 20, of 1023 Norwood Ave.; John King, 27, of 1120 Pinewood Ave.; and Christopher Williams, 22, of 730 Fernwood Ave.

At preliminary hearings at Toledo Municipal Court on Thursday, the charges against Mr. Redd and Mr. Brooks were dropped, according to court dockets.

In general, it's not uncommon for police to drop charges in a case at a preliminary hearing but then present the case to a grand jury for indictment, which gives investigators more time to prepare their case, police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said.

Police have issued arrest warrants for at least three other men -- Corey Bald, 23, of 2327 Glenwood Ave.; Keiandre Pirtle, 21, of 1103 Woodland Ave., and Dontae Johnson, 22, of 3351 Blanchard St.