Donnell "Scandalous" Jehan, 40, turned himself in to Chicago police Tuesday night. Shuffling out of a federal courtroom with his hands and feet shackled Wednesday afternoon, the alleged leader of the Black Disciples street gang refused to say why he decided to come forward.Jehan was one of 47 members and associates of the gang indicted May 2004 on federal drug conspiracy charges. The group is accused of selling as much as $300,000 per day in cocaine and heroin and laundering those profits through buildings and a record label.
"We are seeking detention both as a risk of flight and a danger to the community," U.S. Atty. Joseph Alesia told U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Cox to dissuade her from setting a bail for Jehan.
Jehan waved his right to a detention hearing. Cox ordered him to be held without bail.If convicted, Jehan's sentence may be anywhere from 10 years to life in prison, Alesia said. He also could be fined $10 million.Before he gave himself up, Jehan, formerly of the 6500 block of South Ashland Avenue, was the subject of a nationwide manhunt led by the FBI's Chicago office and was featured on the TV show "America's Most Wanted."The Black Disciples, which made Jehan its third in command, adapted the best practices of corporate America to make its millions.
Like other gangs prevalent at the time, the Black Disciples adopted a pyramid-type organization led by a CEO-like leader. Gang members paid dues and "taxes" for the right to sell drugs.Before he was charged, federal agents saw Jehan driving then-Ald. Troutman's luxury SUV, law enforcement sources said. Troutman, who was indicted last year on federal charges of taking bribes to approve a development in her ward, admitted she knew him as a businessman. She declined to say whether she had a personal relationship with Jehan.On May 12, 2004, a six-year investigation that led to the arrest of 42 Black Disciples. Jehan and four others managed to slip away.
Jehan was the last remaining fugitive sought in connection with the 2004 raid, FBI officials said. Through the years, the FBI upped the reward offered for information leading to Jehan's arrest to $20,000.
Chicago police arrested him late Tuesday night, Alesia said. He was taken into federal custody Wednesday morning.Jehan's court appointed attorney, federal defender Rachel Zebio said she did not know where Jehan has been the last four years or what prompted him to turn himself in.