Federal prosecutors found two members of a gang guilty of various offenses, including operating as a violent organization in Columbus, selling drugs, and intimidating witnesses.
On Monday, Columbus’ United States District Court convicted Klegewerges Abate, 35, and Abubakarr Savage, 34, of narcotics trafficking and gun offenses. The court has not yet scheduled their sentence.
Federal prosecutors allege that Abate, who went by the street names “Bells,” “Robell,” and “Sosa,” and Savage, who went by “Sav” and “Savdripp,” were members of the Third World Mob.
In connection with the gang’s activities, which include trafficking marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine in Columbus starting in 2015 and importing the substances from other states, court documents charge Savage, Abate, and at least four other individuals.
Members of the gang would smuggle hundreds of pounds of marijuana into Ohio in U-Haul trucks and rental automobiles, storing the drugs and money made from selling them in rental houses or properties owned by other people.
In August 2019, a Far East Side home found Abate and others with a suitcase containing approximately $940,000 in cash. In November 2022, a search of a residence in the same neighborhood revealed Abate and two other gang members inside. Detectives discovered over 700 kg of marijuana and three firearms on the property.
According to court papers, the gang dealt hundreds of pounds of marijuana per month and frequently used violence or intimidation to keep control of their operations.
During a federal court trial that began earlier this month, jurors watched video of Abate shooting at a guy in a restaurant. Jurors also heard testimony about previous shootings, a pistol-whipping, and intimidation tactics used to deter associates from disclosing information about the gang’s actions to police or others.
Federal authorities found Abate guilty of fraudulently seeking unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 outbreak, in addition to his convictions for drug trafficking and weapons. According to federal authorities, Abate claimed to be a self-employed landscaper while in fact distributing drugs.
Other gang members have previously pleaded guilty to their roles, including one who was slated to stand trial with Abate and Savage but pleaded guilty before the trial began.
