If I ask you to name a city you associate with gang activity, you might say New York or Chicago. If you’re Gen X or older, you’ll probably say Los Angeles, because that was the gang-banging hub of America in the 1990s.
One place you’re unlikely to mention is Iowa.
In fact, when I think of Iowa, I think of corn fields, caucuses, wrestlers, and The Fat Electrician on YouTube. I don’t think of gangs, but these two guys make some of the LA guys back in the day look like choirboys.
Two Iowa men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy, which engaged in a years-long pattern of violence, including murder, attempted murder, and drug trafficking.
Court documents say that the racketeering conspiracy involved Fifth Street gang members. The gang is also known as the “Arsenal Courts Posse,” “Zone Fifth,” “Fifth Street Mafia,” “Rock Town Money Getters (RTMG),” and “Money Team.” The Fifth Street gang operated as a criminal enterprise responsible for numerous acts of violence, including murder and attempted murder in the Davenport and Rock Island area. The criminal enterprise was connected to dozens of shooting investigations and at least seven homicides over the course of two decades.
Rasheem Damonte Bogan, 34, was sentenced on October 9, 2025, to 27 years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of ammunition charges, followed by three years of supervised release. On June 1, 2020, Bogan and seven co-defendants went to Necker’s Jewelers to commit a burglary. While there, the group encountered a man they mistakenly believed to be a rival gang member. Bogan and others fired 33 rounds from four firearms, seriously injuring the victim.
Kylea Dapri Cartwright, Jr., 29, was sentenced on November 6, 2025, to 30 years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of ammunition charges, followed by three years of supervised release. Cartwright was also ordered to pay $29,732.23 in restitution. Following a six-day jury trial, Cartwright was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy and possessing ammunition as a felon. Evidence at trial demonstrated that on July 5, 2020, Cartwright fired four rounds from a .40 caliber pistol toward a man on West Third Street in Davenport, resulting in the victim’s death. Cartwright used the same pistol that another Fifth Street Gang member had fired during the Necker’s Jewelers shooting a month earlier.
12 other defendants were convicted for the actions of the Fifth Street Gang.
But what’s impressive here isn’t that gang-bangers are being gang-bangers, but how long they kept up these acts of violence before finally being caught, tried, convicted, and sentenced.
Now that they have, though, they’re not looking at being back out on the streets anytime soon. Bogan will be nearly old enough to draw Social Security before he’s free, assuming he serves his full sentence–not a safe assumption, I agree.
These are not good people, and there’s no way they were lawful gun purchasers, even in Iowa.
But look at the last sentence of the quoted section for a moment. Cartwright used a gun that someone else had used the month before. It might not be personal property, but a community firearm that gang members could “check out” like a book from the library, then use as needed. There’s nothing specifically confirming that, of course, but that’s what it sounds like.
Admittedly, it could have been one or the other loaning the gun to a fellow gang member, but I doubt it.
See, the idea of community guns isn’t all that unusual. One person keeps a stash of guns that members can borrow as needed, use, then return. That way, if they’re caught, they’re never caught with the gun on their person later down the road, but the gun hasn’t been dumped in a river somewhere and is unusable for the gang in the future.
This is, of course, kind of illegal since the guns are usually stolen, the people getting them are convicted felons much of the time, and they’re using them for illegal activities, and everyone knows they are, but it still happens.
And these guys are just proof that gun control laws aren’t going to work. Iowa may not have as many as New York or Chicago, but those cities are also known more for gang violence than Des Moines ever will be.
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32 Comments
The list of charges these men faced is extensive. It’s staggering how much damage a few individuals can cause over such a long period.
And yet, it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of organized crime worldwide.
This is a stark reminder that violent crime isn’t just an urban issue. Rural areas like Iowa still face serious challenges, even if they’re not always in the spotlight.
Absolutely, crime exists everywhere, but it’s often overlooked in smaller towns. Media attention tends to focus on big cities.
These sentences must bring some relief to the communities affected by their violence. Justice delayed is better than justice denied.
Hopefully, it helps with the healing process for the victims and their families.
This story is a sobering read. It’s a harsh reality check about the hidden crimes that can go on in any community, no matter how small or seemingly peaceful.
Exactly. The quietest places often have the most shocking secrets.
The names of the gang alone show how deeply entrenched their criminal activities were. It’s a chilling reminder of the scale of organized crime.
And how easily it can go unnoticed by the general public.
The sentence handed down to these individuals reflects the severity of their crimes. It’s a step toward holding them accountable for the violence they’ve caused.
Just what a case like this deserves. No one is above the law.
It’s a shame that it took so long for these individuals to face justice. The victims and their families deserve better.
Unfortunately, that’s often the reality in complex criminal cases.
This story is a stark reminder that no community is safe from the reach of violent crime. Vigilance and strong law enforcement are always necessary.
Absolutely. Complacency is the enemy of safety.
The sheer scale of their crimes over such a long period is horrifying. It’s shocking to see this level of organized violence in an area not typically associated with gangs.
It’s a wake-up call for law enforcement in smaller communities to stay vigilant.
While Iowa might not be known for gang violence, this case proves that no place is immune. It’s a troubling reality that should concern everyone.
True. It’s a reminder that crime doesn’t discriminate based on location.
This case highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling organized crime. The fact that it took years to bring these individuals to justice shows how complex these cases can be.
Especially when dealing with cross-jurisdictional crimes. The resources required for these investigations are significant.
The sentence seems fitting, but I wonder what drove these men to such a life. It’s a tragic story all around.
Understanding the reasons behind their actions might help prevent similar cases in the future.
This article makes me wonder about the root causes of such extreme violence. What factors lead someone to join and commit these acts in a place like Iowa?
A deep dive into the socioeconomic conditions of that area could provide some answers.
This case is a prime example of how racketeering can destroy lives. The impact of organized crime extends far beyond the immediate acts of violence.
The ripple effects are often felt for generations.
The fact that a gang with multiple names was operating in Iowa is a bit unsettling. It’s a reminder that criminal organizations can be more widespread than we realize.
It shows how easily these groups can adapt and hide in plain sight.
It’s interesting to see how the media narrative shifts. Iowa is often portrayed as a quiet, agricultural state, but this case shows a very different side.
Media only covers what sells. The truth is often more complex.