Big Money Addicts: Three men, accused of running mobile heroin operation plead not guilty

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Three men accused of running a mobile heroin operation have pleaded not guilty.

25-year-old Rashawn Smith, 23-year-old Kyawn Lewis, 21-year-old David Harris and 24-year-old Errion Green-Brown (the only one not currently in custody) face charges, including racketeering -- a charge usually associated with organized crime.

Rashawn Smith, Kyawn Lewis, David Harris

Smith, Lewis and Harris have pleaded not guilty. Their next court appearance is scheduled for January 14th.

Green-Brown is not currently in custody. An arrest warrant has been issued for him.

This case is an example of the fact that drug dealing is evolving in Milwaukee -- and law enforcement officials are being forced to evolve with it. That's one of the reasons behind the little used "racketeering" charge being used in this case.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm

"Now instead of having the customer come to one location, they're going to the customer. They're delivering," Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said.

They're not delivering pizza or sub sandwiches. What's being delivered is heroin -- by drug dealers in stolen vehicles.

"Tinting those car windows -- so it becomes very difficult for police officers to see what's inside that car," Chisholm said.

Oftentimes, what's inside is a dealer with drugs and gun in his lap.

On December 14th, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against four Milwaukee men and their organization "Big Money Addicts" or BMA.

The racketeering charge, one of several charges these men face, calls for the men to be associated in a criminal enterprise, including violence, and outline at least three criminal acts that exemplify the criminal activity must be outlined.

"We've used it on relatively rare occasions in the past. We have to seek and receive permission from the attorney general," Chisholm said.

A lengthy 53-page criminal complaint, listing 18 different charges, says the gang "used stolen vehicles that were typically newer models. This ensures proper functionality and drivability."

The gang members are also aware that "MPD policy dictates that the police squad must not initiate, and/or must stop their pursuit if they have no proof of a violent crime."

Big Money Addicts

"So if the police are on to them, what they do is the flee from the scene at a high rate," Chisholm said.

According to the complaint, Smith told investigators on an average day, his gang would make between $20,000 and $28,000.

Chisholm says their operation and those like it have led to an escalation in crime in the city.