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Criminal activity attributed to Juggalos

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This article is about criminal activity attributed to Juggalo members. For the main article on the group itself, see Juggalo.

Juggalo or Juggalette (for females) is a name given to dedicated followers of the horrorcore group Insane Clown Posse or any artist on the horrorcore record label Psychopathic Records. It has been claimed that Juggalos have been alleged to have committed numerous crimes throughout the United States, including assaults,. arson, drug abuse and trafficking, vandalism, burglary, shootings, theft, robbery, home invasion, hate crimes, necrophilia, and numerous murders, including a high-profile spree killing and murders of army officials and police officers.

In addition, Juggalos have been classified as a criminal street gang by numerous government and law enforcement entities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Gang Intelligence Center, and the states of Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Supposed Juggalo gang sets have been alleged by law enforcement in at least 21 states, including those that do not recognize Juggalos as a gang at the state level, have been claimed to be in alliance with several well-known street and prison gangs including Bloods, Crips, Sureños, Folk Nation, and Gangster Disciples. The National Gang Intelligence Center has claimed that Juggalo gangs have spread to prisons, where Bloods and Crips sets use them for recruitment. The FBI alleges that Juggalos are one of 53 gangs that have infiltrated the United States Military in order to expand territory and receive combat training and weapons. However, there is no evidence connecting music with any violent activity or gang alliance.

Some Juggalos reject the claim that they are a gang, instead preferring to be called "family".

Gang classification

Although some Juggalos deny any connection to organized crime, Juggalos have been classified as a criminal street gang by numerous government and law enforcement entities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Gang Intelligence Center, and the states of Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Juggalo gang sets have been documented by law enforcement in at least 21 states, including those that do not recognize Juggalos as a gang at the state level.

According to the FBI, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington report the most Juggalo gang activity, but criminal Juggalo sets have also been identified in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

The FBI also alleges that Juggalos are one of 53 gangs that have infiltrated the United States Military in order to expand territory and receive combat training and weapons.

Arizona Department of Public Safety Detective and recognized Juggalo gang expert Michelle Vasey has claimed that "multiple individuals are committing gang-related crimes, gang-motivated crimes, and they're using the name Juggalo."

Interactions with other criminal organizations

Alleged Juggalo gangs have been claimed in alliance with several well-known street and prison gangs including Bloods, Crips, Sureños, Folk Nation, Aryan Brotherhood, Aryan Circle, and Gangster Disciples. The National Gang Intelligence Center has reported that Juggalo gangs have spread to prisons, where Bloods and Crips sets use them for recruitment.

The National Gang Intelligence Center has claimed, "The formation of rivalries or alliances to gangs outside of their group will allow the Juggalos to evolve into a more sophisticated criminal entity through associations with hardened, experienced gang members."

The National Gang Intelligence Center has also claimed an unusually high number of criminal Juggalo sets in alliance with Bloods sets, but has claimed that the exact reason they align themselves with Bloods sets remains unclear.

Criminal Juggalo groups have been alleged in alliance with white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups and gangs, including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Brotherhood, Aryan Circle, and Aryan Liberation Front. Despite this, Insane Clown Posse themselves are staunchly opposed to racism and bigotry, and have written multiple songs which directly oppose racism. Their songs "Chicken Huntin'" and "Imma Kill You" describe the murder of racists, and "Your Rebel Flag" insults the Ku Klux Klan. Also, ICP member Joseph Utsler is half Cherokee and does not celebrate Thanksgiving due to his Native American descent. Psychopathic Records artist Anybody Killa is Native American.

Public and artist reactions

The classification of Juggalos as a criminal gang was riciduled by popular electronics maganize Wired.

Insane Clown Posse has denounced the idea that their Juggalo fanbase is gang related, and has filed a lawsuit against the FBI for their listing of Juggalos in the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, alleging that the classification has harmed their business. The lawsuit is ongoing.

Juggalo reaction to the gang classification has been mixed. Juggalos vehemently deny relation to gang activities.

Potential for violence

Some law enforcement agencies and officials have expressed concern at Juggalos' high potential for violence.

The FBI's 2011 National Gang Assessment Threat has claimed that "criminal Juggalo groups pose a threat to communities due to the potential for violence, drug use/sales, and their general destructive and violent nature."

The National Gang Intelligence Center's report on Juggalos claims that, "Their crimes are characterized by acts of violence and destruction directed against law enforcement, members of the community, public/private property, and other members of their group."

Arizona Department of Public Safety Detective and recognized Juggalo gang expert Michelle Vasey has also expressed concern at the Juggalos high potential for violence, stating "The weapons, they prefer, obviously, hatchets...We've got battle-axes, we've got machetes, anything that can make the most violent, gruesome wound," and "Some of the homicides we're seeing with these guys are pretty nasty, gruesome, disgusting homicides, where they don't care who's around, what's around, they're just out to kill anybody."

Verified law enforcement officers at the popular police support forum RealPolice.net have claimed that, "The ones around here definitely act like a gang, and since they prefer edged weapons, we've had a bunch of stabbings and cuttings...Members here have robbed 7-11's and random people by displaying knives and hatchets, and have assaulted members of other gangs as well."

Supposed Juggalo-related murders have been committed with exotic edged weapons, including hatchets, machetes, and medieval battle-axes.

Supposed Juggalo-on-Juggalo violence has also been alleged. In 2010, a supposed gang calling itself the Juggalo Killers, which alleged to be aligned with the white supremacist prison gang Aryan Liberation Front, violently assaulted a Juggalo, stealing her belongings and carving the letters "JK" into her chest.

Notable murder cases

Main article: Jacob D. Robida

In February 2006, Jacob D. Robida, who claimed to be an Insane Clown Posse fan, committed several violent attacks, including one murder, and then killed himself. On February 7, Insane Clown Posse released a statement on the Robida attacks. The group's manager Alex Abbiss extended members Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler's condolences and prayers to the families of the victims, stating "It's quite obvious that this guy had no clue what being a Juggalo is all about. If anyone knows anything at all about ICP, then you know that they have never, ever been down or will be down with any racist or bigotry bullshit."

Syko Sam

In September, 2009, amateur horrorcore rapper Richard McCroskey, who went by the stage name Syko Sam, and claimed to be a Juggalo murdered Presbyterian pastor Mark Neiderbrock; his estranged 53-year-old wife Debra Kelley; their 16-year-old daughter Emma Neiderbrock and her 18-year-old friend Melanie Wells by bludgeoning them to death while they slept, in what has since been dubbed the Farmville murders.

Richard McCroskey had been a graphic designer and amateur horrorcore rapper and had been living with his father and 21-year-old sister in Castro Valley, California. McCroskey and his sister had been raised in Hayward before moving to Castro Valley. His father, a rock guitarist, introduced him to Insane Clown Posse, Metallica and Primus.

In high school, McCroskey had been teased and bullied because of his weight and red hair. Neighbors described him as a loner. His sister Sarah recalled him as a mild-mannered and kind person who never fought back or defended himself unless provoked. McCroskey's MySpace page featured songs he authored with violent lyrics, dealing with subjects including mutilation, death and the thrill of murder.

McCroskey dropped out of Tennyson High School in Hayward, then attended Hayward High School for a time before dropping out again. About five months prior to the murders, McCroskey had been devastated when his father asked their mother to move out. He was excited for a planned trip to Virginia to see girlfriend Emma Neiderbrock, whom he had dated online for almost a year and spoken with almost daily by phone. He flew to Virginia on September 6.

McCroskey was apprehended at Richmond International Airport on September 18, where police found him sleeping in the baggage claim area, about to fly back to California. McCroskey, who had no prior criminal record, was first charged with first degree murder, robbery and grand larceny (stealing the car), but later was charged with six counts of capital murder. McCroskey was subsequently held in Piedmont Regional jail, on suicide watch.

Police concluded the victims died from blunt force trauma to the head. Police occult expert Don Rimer, brought in because of symbols found in the music the teens listened, described the murder scene as a slaughter house.

McCroskey did not initially cooperate with police after his arrest. When asked about the possible motive, Police Sgt. Andy Ellington from Farmville, VA Ellington said McCroskey said "Jesus told me to do it."

The police took McCroskey's computer, house phones and more than a dozen paper bags full of evidence from his home. McCroskey was charged with six counts of capital murder because he is alleged to have killed multiple people within three years.

On September 20, 2010, McCroskey pleaded guilty to the four murders. Although facing the death penalty, he was sentenced to life in prison. County Attorney James Ennis says that the victims' families supported his decision to reach a plea agreement instead of going to trial and seeking the death penalty.

Alleged Juggalo gang subsets

Law enforcement reports claim the existence of numerous Juggalo gang subsets, including:

  • 253 Wicked Klowns
  • 3-11 Mafia
  • 3 Ring Clique
  • 420 Goon Squad
  • 45'z
  • A-Town Voodoo Clowns
  • Broom Town Killaz
  • East Side Juggalos
  • Englewood's Wickedest Juggalos
  • Denver City Killaz
  • Denver's Most Hated Juggalos
  • Down 2 Party
  • DownTown Clowns
  • Half Dead Killaz
  • Hangtown Klownz
  • Homies for Life
  • Insane Juggalos (mentioned in Gangland)
  • Juggalo Empire
  • Juggalo Gang
  • Juggalo Killers
  • Juggalos of Statesville
  • Juggalo Rydas
  • Juggalo Rydas Bitch (JRB)
  • Juggalo Ryda East Coast
  • Juggalo Street Crew
  • Juggalo $treet Mafia
  • Kearns Town Bloods
  • Kearns Town Juggalo Crew
  • Kotton Mouth Kings (named after the hip hop group of the name name)
  • Kotton Mouth Klick
  • Kritikal Klique Souljaz
  • Lotus Pod Family
  • Magna Town Wicked Clowns
  • Modesto Family Klowns
  • No Identity Crew
  • Northend Villains
  • Nothing 2 Lose
  • Pueblo Clown Posse
  • Pueblo Town Juggalos
  • Psychopathic Criminal Klowns
  • Psychopathic Juggalos
  • Red Hatchet Representing
  • South West Killa Klownz
  • Sick Wicked Ninjas
  • Suicide Killaz
  • Tac Town Klowns
  • Three Star Ninjas
  • West Syde Clown Ryders

References

  1. ^ http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/Gang_Awareness_guide.pdf
  2. ^ Slideshow. "Crimes of the Juggalos Photo Gallery - What is a Juggalo? - Crime Library". Trutv.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  3. ^ Name * (2012-03-26). "(U//FOUO) National Gang Intelligence Center Juggalos Intelligence Report" (PDF). Public Intelligence. Retrieved 2012-11-08. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  4. ^ "FBI — 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment". Fbi.gov. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  5. ^ Miller, Jessica (2012-10-08). "'Juggalo Killers' a new breed of gang". Standard.net. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  6. ^ Gibson, Michael. "10 Most Violent Juggalo Attacks Ever". Ranker.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  7. ^ "Alleged Juggalo arrested on suspicion of arson, burglary". The Columbian. 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  8. "Dropping In On The Demented Utopia Of The Gathering Of The Juggalos". Deadspin.com. 2011-08-16. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  9. Levi Pulkkine (2011-01-02). "Police: Maple Valley teen who shot two a Juggalo gang member". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  10. Kendall, Justin (2009-06-19). "Member of Juggalo Rydas sentenced to 15 years for shooting up vacant apartment | Plog". Pitch.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  11. "Juggalos Are Suspects In Home Invasion Robbery". Juggalonews.com. 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  12. Driscoll, Matt (2012-04-26). "All Three Juggalos Suspected in Tacoma Home-Invasion Robbery Now Apprehended - Seattle - News - The Daily Weekly". Blogs.seattleweekly.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  13. ^ "Fugitives | Jacob Robida | Case". AMW. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  14. "A gathering of Juggalos accused in grisly Ohio murder | Trench Reynolds". Trenchreynolds.me. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  15. Andrew Scott (2009-04-25). "Teens to be tried in Price Township 'Juggalo' murder". PoconoRecord.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  16. ^ Bashir, Martin (2010-03-09). "Law Enforcement Claims 'Horrorcore' Genre Incites Crime - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  17. ^ "Juggalos ICP ABC News Nightline: Music & Murder 03-09-10". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  18. "New Details: Officer Involved Shooting | Local News - Home". Krcrtv.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  19. Howard Stern (host) and Insane Clown Posse (guests) (1 September 2009). ICP on Howard Stern 9.1.09. The Howard Stern Show. Sirius Satellite Radio. Howard 100. {{cite serial}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  20. Bruce, Joseph (2003). "Life on the Road". In Nathan Fostey (ed.). ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd Edition ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 358–360. ISBN 0-9741846-0-8. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |origmonth= ignored (help)
  21. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r634567
  22. By Spencer AckermanEmail Author. "FBI's Newest Gang Threat: Insane Clown Posse Fans | Danger Room". Wired.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  23. File Photo. "Insane Clown Posse suing FBI in Flint federal court over Juggalo gang listing". MLive.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  24. "Juggalos - are they a gang, cult, and/or dangerous?". Realpolice.net. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  25. http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/altreport/2010/09/horrorcore-rappermurderer-syko-sam-will-rot-behind-bars-4-rest-his-juggalo-life.html
  26. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2009/sep/20/farm20s2_20090919-222603-ar-29616/
  27. http://web.archive.org/web/20100413072700/http://www.magtfdenver.org/crew%20and%20gang%20index.htm
  28. http://gangwar.jigsy.com/entries/general/juggalo-movement-modesto-family-klowns-psychopathic-criminal-klowns-juggalo-rider-bitch-down-2-party-and-nothing-2-lose-2
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