COLUMBUS – Four accused members of a Columbus street gang pleaded guilty to murder in connection to a racketeering case in federal court Wednesday, according to a statement from the office of Carter Stewart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.
Joseph Hill, 31, Christopher V. Wharton, 25, Troy A. Patterson, 24, and Ishmael Bowers, 33, each pleaded guilty to one count of murder in aid of racketeering surrounding the Short North Posse.
Hill also pleaded guilty to a second count of murder in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Wharton also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Each of the defendants faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.
Stewart says the four were charged by a superseding indictment in October 2014.