Police in northern Utah County say gang activity might slow down now that leaders of the two largest local gangs are behind bars.
Investigators from American Fork, Lehi and Pleasant Grove say much of the criminal activity in their cities is committed by two groups, gangs that call themselves Brown Pride and The Lynch Mob. The gang members are suspects in several assault, theft, burglary, extortion and vandalism cases. The Lynch Mob has about 10 members ranging from age 17 to 20, while Brown Pride has about 40 members between the ages of 14 and 17."Brown Pride is probably the largest gang in Utah County, and The Lynch Mob is probably the most active and violent," Pleasant Grove detective Cody Cullimore said. "These groups are involved extensively in gang-type criminal activity that at times has been out of control."
However, police say gang activity has slowed down recently with the conviction and incarceration of leaders from both groups. Several leaders of Brown Pride are now serving time in the juvenile system. The man that police say is the leader of The Lynch Mob was sentenced to jail Wednesday.
"I think the leader is really the catalyst in these type of groups, and now that the leaders are locked up suddenly the activities have dwindled," Cullimore said. "Some of the members are acting like things are no fun anymore without the bosses around."
Wednesday, 4th District Judge Guy R. Burningham sentenced Christopher J. Lynch, 20, American Fork, to six months in the Utah County Jail with work release on a charge of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony. Burningham also ordered Lynch to pay $500 in fines and $642 in restitution and placed him on probation for 36 months. A condition of that probation is that Lynch have no contact with his associates in The Lynch Mob.
"It's apparent that when you get together you all get into trouble," Burningham said.
A jury found Lynch guilty of breaking into a Lehi home in March, where Lynch and six other members of his group beat up several teens for "being rude" to one of their friends. The victims suffered broken ribs, bruised lungs and some memory loss. Four of Lynch's associates pleaded guilty to lesser charges and were sentenced to various jail terms.
Adult Probation and Parole recommended that Lynch serve one year in jail. Deputy Utah County Attorney Claudia Laycock asked Burningham to use the gang-enhancement provision and send Lynch to prison. She said Lynch has previous convictions for assault, disorderly conduct, trespassing and shoplifting and has become an expert at manipulating the justice system.
"He refuses to acknowledge the authority of the courts and the justice system and he refuses to acknowledge the authority of the law," Laycock said. "He thinks he has the right to settle anything that goes against him or his friends any way he wants."
Lynch told Burningham he was sorry for his actions but said he believes his part in the crime did not justify being charged with a first-degree felony. Lynch's father told Burningham that his son is a victim of harassment by police and prosecutors and that he plans to file a 75-page complaint outlining the harassment. Just prior to leaving the courtroom, Lynch's father pointed angrily at Laycock.
Prosecutors and police hoped for a stiffer sentence but said putting a gang leader behind bars for any amount of time is a victory against gangs.
"It appears these gangs are starting to get the message, but I firmly believe their activity will increase when their leaders are back on the streets," Cullimore said.