Another three men with ties to the West Jefferson-based Harvey Hustlers street gang pleaded guilty Monday (Feb. 1) in a narcotics racketeering case and were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Richard Chess, Carlnell Pierce and Charlie Gumms were among the 21 defendants named in a 30-count indictment filed last year in Jefferson Parish’s 24^th Judicial District Court. With Monday’s pleas, only two of the 21 defendants still have open racketeering cases.

Chess, 24, of Harvey, pleaded guilty to racketeering, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, distribution of heroin and cruelty to juveniles. Judge Henry Sullivan, who has presided over the Harvey Hustler cases, ran Chess’s sentences for each count concurrently, for a total of 20 years.

Chess also pleaded guilty as a double offender under Louisiana’s habitual offender law, for a 2009 conviction of simple escape. His 15-year sentence for Count 2 was increased to 20 years, and run concurrently with his other sentences.

Pierce, 35, of Harvey, pleaded guilty to racketeering, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, distribute of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. His sentences also were run concurrently, totaling 20 years.

Pierce also pleaded guilty as a double offender for his 2009 conviction of attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The 15-year prison sentence he received for Count 2 was increased to 20 years and run concurrently with his other sentences.

Gumms, 20, of Terrytown, pleaded guilty to racketeering, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute heroin and five counts of attempted second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 25 years on each count, and Sullivan ran the sentences concurrently for a total of 25 years.

The attempted-murder charges stem from an April 22, 2013, shooting at the Lapalco Apartments, in the 2300 block of Lapalco Boulevard in Harvey. Authorities say at least two armed men stood outside an apartment and began shooting into the front door. A 1-year-old girl was left paralyzed, and two toddlers, ages 2 and 3, were injured. Additionally, two women, ages 63 and 67, were struck by bullets.

Chess, Pierce and Gumms admitted to roles in the criminal enterprise in which cocaine and heroin was funneled into the area from Texas and sold on New Orleans-area streets. The racketeering offense involved the gang’s activities from January 2006 through January 2015, according to the bill of indictment.

The gang, whose roots date to the 1980s in Harvey’s Scotsdale neighborhood, protected its narcotics trafficking and distribution ring through its enforcement arm known as the Murder Squad. At least seven homicides have been tied to people affiliated with the Harvey Hustlers through the joint local and federal investigation, authorities say.

Through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana and the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors have decided which jurisdiction to bring the cases. Federal prosecutors have handled numerous Harvey Hustler cases in U.S. District Court in New Orleans.

In February 2015, prosecutors in Jefferson Parish obtained the 21-defendant indictment in state court. As of Monday, 19 have either pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial. A look of the defendants whose cases have been adjudicated shows:

• Bryant Gumms, 24, of Harvey, pleaded guilty Thursday (Jan. 28), to racketeering, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• Derrick Gumms, 27, of Harvey, pleaded guilty Thursday (Jan. 28), to racketeering, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute heroin. He, too, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Bryant and Derrick are siblings.
• Robert C. Williams, 24, of Avondale, was convicted by a Jefferson Parish jury as charged on Nov. 11 of racketeering, two counts of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, two counts of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and distribution of cocaine. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison on Jan. 19.
• Alcus Smith, 29, of Harvey, stood trial with Williams and was convicted of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute narcotics and distribution of cocaine. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison on Nov. 17. The jury that handed up the verdict was unable to decide Smith’s charge of second-degree murder. Prosecutors plan to retry Smith for the second-degree murder charge.
• Willie Thornton, 31, of Harvey, pleaded guilty Jan. 13 to racketeering, two counts of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and two counts of distribution of cocaine. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Jan. 13.
• Lashawn Davis, 22, of Gretna, pleaded guilty as charged on Nov. 30 to racketeering, five counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of conspiracy to distribute narcotics. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• Davante D. Robertson, 21, of Gretna, pleaded guilty on Dec. 15 to racketeering and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors dismissed five counts of attempted second-degree murder.
• Ellis C. Landix, 30, of Marrero, pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison as a multiple offender.
• Paul Smith, 26, of Avondale, pleaded guilty Sept. 28, to racketeering, two counts of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.
• Brandon J. Motton, 29, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on Jan. 199, to racketeering, two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana and heroin, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• Keitrel B. Gumms, 25, of Harvey, pleaded guilty Jan. 13 to racketeering, two counts conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, respectively, distribution of cocaine, distribution of marijuana and cruelty to juveniles. His sentencing is set for Feb. 29.
• Stephanie J. Bradley, 44, of Harvey, pleaded guilty to racketeering on Oct. 19. Her sentencing is set for Feb. 16.
• Corey H. Trent, 26, of Marrero, pleaded guilty on Aug 17, to racketeering, two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana and cocaine, distribution of cocaine and cruelty to juveniles. He was sentenced to eight years on prison.
• Kentaz R. Gayden, 28, of Harahan, pleaded guilty on Dec. 11 to racketeering and two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana and heroin. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
• Rasheed Smith, 25, of Westwego, pleaded guilty on Jan. 4 to racketeering and two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana and heroin. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• Nathan Carter, 31, of Gretna, pleaded guilty on Oct. 8 to racketeering and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Two defendants still have open cases:

• Charles D. Gumms, 21, of Terrytown, awaits trial on charges of racketeering, two counts of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession or distribution of a legend drug without a prescription. Charles Gumms and Charlie Gumms, who pleaded guilty Monday, are siblings.
• Kerry J. Reynard, 26, of Marrero, is charged with racketeering and two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana and heroin.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant District Attorneys Doug Freese and Seth Shute prosecuted them.