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An enforcer for a Buffalo street gang who was involved in several shootings, a murder, and drug crimes has pleaded guilty to two felony charges according to court records.
On January 6, Larell Watkins, aka “90-Ls”, 22, pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy involving murder and one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. He was facing a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
The CBL/BFL gang
According to the plea agreement, Watkins admitted that he was a member of CBL/BFL since at least 2010. He would have been 12 years old at the time.
CBL stands for “Cash Been Long” and “Crush Bitches Leave ’em”, among other things. BFL stands for “Bag ’em F*ck ’em, Leave ’em” and “Brothers For Life”, among other things.
According to prosecutors, CBL/BFL members sold and distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack, marijuana, and other controlled substances. The gang used violence to defend their territory.
Many members of CBL/BFL lived in the Towne Gardens Housing Complex on the east side of Buffalo.
Watkins and other members of the gang produced several rap music videos (parental advisory explicit content) in 2013 and 2014. Watkins also appeared in the videos.
Watkins was shot at least twice, in August and November 2015. He refused to cooperate with police on both occasions.
Watkins’ brother Laron was killed in August 2016. A 21-year-old gang member who goes by the nickname “Youngest” is currently serving a sentence of 50 years to life in prison for the murder.
The murder of Xavier Wimes
Watkins and co-defendant Dalvon Curry were charged with murder in aid of racketeering for the death of a fellow gang member named Xavier Wimes.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, CBL/BFL gang members threw a party at Towne Gardens on New Years Eve 2017.
Wimes confronted Curry over a social media feud, an altercation ensued, and Wimes hit Curry in the head with a bottle. Watkins and other gang members responded by attacking Wimes and forcing him into an apartment.
Watkins retrieved a gun from another apartment, led Curry to his car, and said something to the effect that Wimes needed to be held accountable for his actions.
Wimes jumped out of a window to escape, breaking his leg in the process. Curry allegedly shot him in a nearby parking lot. The government apparently has surveillance video footage of the shooting.
Curry was also charged with murder in aid of racketeering for the death of a rival gang member named Jaquan Sullivan in December 2015.
The terms of the plea agreement
Watkins and the government agreed to a sentence of 19 years in prison. He is facing a fine of up to $500,000, and 2 to 5 years of supervised release. Watkins may be also required to pay restitution. The government agreed to dismiss the other charges pending against him.
Watkins is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2020. He is currently in federal custody.
Twelve members and associates of CBL/BFL have pled guiltily to drug trafficking, racketeering, and weapons charges in recent months.
Curry’s trial began this week.