Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Gang-Related Crimes – Travon “Budda” Jones, a 22-year-old member of the East End gang in Bridgeport, Connecticut, has been sentenced to over 22 years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of violent crimes, including murder and attempted murder, as well as his participation in a pattern of racketeering activities. His sentencing, which occurred on Thursday, stems from a lengthy investigation that uncovered his role in several violent incidents tied to gang rivalries in the city of Bridgeport.
The East End gang, originally formed in the East End neighborhood of Bridgeport, has expanded its influence across the city and into nearby towns. Jones’s gang has been linked to several other groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, the East Side gang, and 150, a gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport. These gangs have formed alliances in opposition to rival groups such as the “Original North End” (O.N.E.) gang and the “Greene Homes Boyz” (GHB/Hotz), which operates out of the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in the city’s North End.
Jones’s criminal activities were primarily linked to gang-related violence. A major turning point in the investigation occurred on January 26, 2020, when members of the East End gang, including Jones, were involved in the shooting death of Myreke Kenion and the shooting of D’Andre Brown, both members of the GHB/Hotz gang. The incident marked a violent escalation in the ongoing conflict between rival gangs in the region. The following day, members of GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. retaliated by attempting to kill East End gang members in a shooting outside a state courthouse in Bridgeport, resulting in four individuals being shot while sitting inside a vehicle.
The investigation into Jones and his associates revealed additional violent acts. On July 12, 2019, Jones, alongside fellow East End gang member Tyrone Moore, shot and killed Sean Warren, also known as “Kujoe,” a member of the O.N.E. gang. Later, on October 17, 2019, Jones attempted to murder Joshua Gilbert, another member of the O.N.E. gang, in a separate shooting incident.
Jones had been in custody since October 17, 2019, and initially pleaded guilty to charges in August 2022. However, he later withdrew his guilty plea after a ruling by Judge Victor A. Bolden. Following a trial, a jury convicted Jones and three of his associates in December 2023 for conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, further solidifying his involvement in the violent criminal enterprises that plagued Bridgeport.
In addition to the violent acts, Jones and other members of the East End gang were implicated in a range of criminal activities, including the distribution of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and Percocet pills. They were also involved in using and sharing firearms to further their illicit operations. Over the course of their criminal activities, Jones and his associates have been linked to at least six murders and numerous other acts of violence.
East End gang members, including Jones, further exhibited their criminal conduct on social media platforms, celebrating their violent acts and making threats to deter witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement. Their actions included intimidating witnesses and using violence to protect gang members from prosecution.
The investigation has led to the conviction of approximately 47 members and associates of the East End, O.N.E., and GHB/Hotz gangs on federal charges. These convictions highlight the broader impact of organized gang activity in Bridgeport, underscoring the efforts of law enforcement to dismantle these violent criminal enterprises. The sentence of Travon “Budda” Jones is a significant step in the ongoing battle against gang violence in the region.