NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted three Newport News men on charges stemming from a series of violent crimes, including several shootings and multiple murders, that took place between January and November 2017.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Ronzel Monte Dixie, aka Bone or Bizzy, 31; Kwaimain Shy’de Redmon, aka Kwa, 30; and Meko Montez Brown Jr., aka Gangsta or 9-Ball, 26, were involved in at least seven shootings, multiple murders, four commercial robberies, three drug robberies, and the theft of three cars. The group also engaged in two high-speed police chases. Their victims included cellphone stores, drug dealers, gas stations/convenience stores, a correctional officer, and others. The men were armed with various firearms, including a .22 caliber Uzi-style firearm, a 1911 handgun, a Ruger P95 9mm pistol, and a stolen P9 Khar 9mm pistol, which they brandished and sometimes discharged during the robberies.
Criminal Activities:
- October 1, 2017: Dixie, Redmon, and another individual robbed a drug dealer during a home invasion, taking drugs, currency, and the victim’s Lexus sedan.
- October 12, 2017: Dixie and another person robbed a different drug dealer to obtain bail money for Redmon, who had been arrested the previous day.
- October 16, 2017: Dixie and Redmon followed a target from Hoss’s Deli and shot him, leading to the victim’s death. Later that day, they robbed the Happy Shopper convenience store in Hampton, where Dixie killed a store employee.
- November 7, 2017: Dixie, Brown, and another individual robbed a drug dealer, taking his P9 Kahr firearm, and later robbed a MetroPCS store in Hampton using the stolen firearm.
- November 8, 2017: Dixie, Brown, and another person killed a man and shot a correctional officer during an attempted robbery. Dixie claimed he killed the man to add to his tally of victims.
- November 9, 2017: Brown and another individual robbed a Miller Mart convenience store in Chesapeake.
- November 10, 2017: The group stole a Cadillac and Brown killed the driver of a vehicle that followed them. Later, Dixie killed a homeless person.
- November 11, 2017: The group robbed another MetroPCS store in Newport News while a family with two young children was present.
Convictions and Sentencing:
- Ronzel Monte Dixie: Convicted of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, five counts of interference with commerce by robbery, five counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, five counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of use of a firearm resulting in death. Faces a mandatory minimum of 38 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 30, 2025.
- Kwaimain Shy’de Redmon: Convicted of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of use of a firearm resulting in death. Faces a mandatory minimum of 17 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 30, 2025.
- Meko Montez Brown Jr.: Convicted of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, three counts of interference with commerce by robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of obstruction of justice. Faces a mandatory minimum of 21 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 30, 2025.
Federal sentences are typically less than the maximum penalties, with a judge considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.