Suspected gang member released

The last of a group of men who are suspected of being gang members and who have been indicted after a law enforcement investigation into drug dealing appeared Tuesday in federal court.

Terrence "Blunt" Henderson, 30, was released from custody. He faces three counts of distribution.

Federal Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen released Henderson on his own recognizance in part because he does not have a serious criminal record and is employed. He is the only defendant who will not wait in jail pending trial.

Two separate indictments allege that several members of the Donna Street Crips and Anybody's Murders street gangs were involved in distributing crack cocaine. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Metropolitan Police Department and North Las Vegas police.

Others indicted were Jorge Montes, aka Camotes; Brandon "Spank" Johnson; Antione "Bookworm" Hall; Tarhain "Boochie" Woods; Andrew "Concrete" Thorns; Bruce "G" Johnson and Maurice Swanson. The suspects are from Las Vegas and were charged with distribution of crack cocaine. They remain in custody.

Montes, Brandon Johnson, Hall and Woods also were charged with one count each of drug conspiracy.

Over a year, the men were recorded distributing more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, authorities allege. In 17 "controlled buys," in which an undercover officer bought the drugs, the men sold amounts from 6 grams to more than 138 grams, authorities allege. The buys took place between August 2009 and July 16 of this year.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Bliss told Leen that Henderson has "close ties" to Montes, and she pushed to have Henderson detained. She said he was a potential flight risk. Bliss told Leen that law enforcement had 30 compact discs with recordings of the controlled buys.

Deniro Westfield of Las Vegas is charged in the case with unlawful possession of a firearm.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty. Their indictments came down after the Las Vegas Safe Streets Gang Task Force completed its investigation.