Newport News, Va. – A member of the Newport News street gang “Thug Relations” was sentenced Monday to 412 months in prison for a racketeering conspiracy.
Douglas Ashby’s sentence will run consecutive to a 10 year sentence from an earlier federal firearms conviction.
Ashby, 29, pleaded guilty on November 24, 2015.
Thug Relations distributed marijuana and crack cocaine. The gang established dominance over the drug trade in the area through violence and intimidation; including assaults, home invasions and shootings that resulted in murders.
Ashby admitted his involvement in the murder of Aaron Sumler and two other shooting incidents. Officials say Sumler and a friend were selling cocaine in the area near Aqueduct Apartments, which was a part of Thug Relations territory.
