A gang member from Davenport, Iowa, pistol-whipped a man and fatally shot another man. Now, he will remain behind bars for decades.
U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Darion Daquan Gardner, a.k.a. “Lil man,” to 37 1/2 years in federal prison for the shooting death of a man. Gardner pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, causing death through the use of a firearm, and attempted murder through the use of a firearm, reported Quad-City Times.
On Dec. 16, 2016, Gardner, a member of Savage Life Boys (SLB), robbed a man before pistol-whipping him. Then the defendant and other gang members opened fire on the victim as he and another associate fled the scene. Two months later, Gardner and some of his accomplices got into an altercation at Hotel Davenport with an individual whom they believed disrespected their gang. As a result, Gardner opened fire, leading to a man’s death and injuring another.
Authorities believe the defendant’s violent assault and killing were due to Gardner’s desire to dominate and maintain his position within the gang.
Gardner’s conviction was handed down while the defendant was already serving an 80-month sentence in federal prison for a prior conviction of a felon in possession of a firearm charge.
During the sentencing hearing, Davenport’s defense lawyer, Cory Goldensoph, pleaded with the court for leniency, considering his client’s difficult upbringing. He told the court a single mother raised Davenport, and the defendant often rebelled due to the lack of a male role model. Hence, the defendant’s criminal career started at the age of 11.
Ebinger disagreed and ordered the 27-year-old Gardner to serve the new sentence consecutively to the remainder of his previous sentence.
“We are incredibly proud of the collaborative efforts and dedication and persistence to bring closure for the victims and justice for those responsible in the 2017 homicide and several other shootings. This case is a great example of the incredible partnership the Davenport Police Department has with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and their commitment to justice for our community and the victims of violent crime,” said Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel, reported Our Quad Cities.com.
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