‘Lack Of Remorse’ Lands South Minneapolis 'Bloods' Member Life Sentence In RICO Case

ST. PAUL, MN — A "Bloods" gang member has been sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for racketeering and firearms offenses related to two gang murders, federal officials announced Thursday.

Desean James Solomon, also known as "Black," 34, was convicted in October 2024 following a federal jury trial. He was found guilty of racketeering-influenced corrupt organization (RICO) charges and two counts of using and carrying a firearm in "furtherance of murder."

Solomon's sentencing marks the first in a series of RICO trials brought against major Minneapolis street gangs, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

"Three years ago—as violent crime raged out of control—the U.S. Attorney’s Office made a decision to use every tool at our disposal to go after the gangs," Kirkpatrick said in a statement.

"Together with our federal and state partners, we brought RICO charges against major Minneapolis street gangs. The first of those cases was the Bloods RICO. Defendant Solomon—who committed murder for the benefit of the gang—was the first RICO trial defendant to be sentenced. We hope that today’s sentence—life in prison plus twenty years—sends a message in the strongest possible terms. If you are a Minneapolis gang member, the feds are coming for you. Get out and choose a different path before it is too late."

The FBI echoed that message, calling Solomon a dangerous individual who fed on "fear, intimidation, and death."

"Solomon chose violence as a way of life — trafficking in fear, intimidation, and death to exert power, feed criminal ambition and expand the Blood’s grip on the streets," said Alvin M. Winston Sr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office.

"Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes committed. The FBI, alongside our law enforcement partners, remain steadfast in our mission to protect our communities from violent crime and will relentlessly pursue those who believe bloodshed is the path to power."

Trial Evidence

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Solomon was affiliated with the Minneapolis Bloods street gang since at least 2020. Prosecutors said he committed multiple violent crimes for the benefit of the gang, including two premeditated murders within two years.

Solomon and other Bloods members were found to operate primarily on the south side of Minneapolis, near Chicago Avenue South and 38th Street East, the area now known as George Floyd Square.

According to prosecutors, in June 2020, Solomon and fellow Bloods members went to a nightclub in north Minneapolis where they assaulted a rival gang member in a men's bathroom.

After the fight, a gun battle erupted outside the club. Solomon and another Bloods member fired multiple shots, killing a rival gang member, authorities said.

Then, on April 23, 2022, Solomon and other Bloods members went to a bar in the Uptown neighborhood.

A large fight broke out between the Bloods and a rival gang. Minutes later, Solomon and other gang members left the bar and fatally shot a rival outside, according to prosecutors.

Sentencing Remarks

Solomon appeared Wednesday in U.S. District Court before Judge Susan R. Nelson, who imposed the sentence of life in prison plus 20 years.

In her remarks, Judge Nelson said: "I was searching for a kernel of hope that you could be trusted to not be a danger to society," but added that "based on your utter and complete disregard for human life, the brutality of the Bloods gang, your lack of remorse through every stage of this case...I am left with the certainty that you will always be a threat to public safety."

Nelson added, "My hope is this sentence sends a strong message to the Bloods gang and other thriving gangs that ruthlessly terrorize this city."

Investigation and Prosecution

The case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian Weir represented the government at the sentencing hearing