Black Guerrilla Family has long been tied to Baltimore Safe Streets program, documents show

An October 2010 federal search warrant obtained by FOX45 News reveals the Black Guerrilla Family gang has long been tied to violence prevention efforts in Baltimore, including the embattled Safe Streets program.

Described as part of the Black Guerrilla Family’s then-attempt to “make [BGF] look like a legitimate organization,” law enforcement officials filed a 164-page affidavit asking a federal judge to grant a warrant to raid 11 Baltimore locations.

“According to [confidential informant], [high-ranking gang leader] and other members hoped that, much in the same way BGF controlled prison violence through subtle coercion, control of the prison economy, extortion and retaliation, members on the street could control violence in Baltimore City,” the federal search warrant alleged.

Black Guerrilla Family has long been tied to Baltimore Safe Streets program, documents show

The affidavit outlined a multi-year investigation into BGF’s efforts to transform its criminal enterprise, that once exclusively operated in prisons, into an organization with a foothold on Baltimore’s streets.

“According to [confidential informant] this would have the effect of legitimizing BGF, allow the enterprise to continue to earn money through drug trafficking, and taxing of others trafficking in drugs, as well as providing legitimate high-paying jobs to high-ranking members of BGF funded by various government grants,” the federal search warrant application continued.

A federal judge granted the search warrant request.

Belair Edison Safe Streets location (WBFF/Mikenzie Frost)

Todd Duncan was one of several high-ranking BGF leaders indicted and convicted for his involvement in the violent street gang as the result of the federal searches, according to court records.

While serving as a youth counselor for the violence intervention nonprofit Community Organized to Improve Life, Inc. (COIL), federal authorities said Duncan also served as BGF’s street leader.

At the time of Duncan’s arrest, COIL was awarded grant funding to operate the second-ever Safe Streets location in the Union Square neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore, according to city records.

The federal search warrant outlined that Duncan’s work with COIL was because of BGF’s success at convincing law enforcement, political and academic leaders to give self-described reformed gang members the opportunity to “publicly [call] for an end to inner city violence.”

“According to [confidential informant], Duncan works at COIL as a way of legitimizing himself in the eyes of law enforcement and the public. Duncan gives the appearance of working with at-risk youth, while maintaining his role as leader of the BGF,” the federal search warrant outlined.