Federal prosecutors are pursuing a deal with an alleged gang member who could be a key witness in the killing of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.
Documents filed in federal court show that Vernon Edwards, 29, is expected to change his not-guilty plea to federal drug and conspiracy charges in as soon as three weeks.
Edwards is described in court documents as a lieutenant in the Elite Eight, a group authorities have said is among the most dangerous gangs in Denver. He currently faces 10 years to life in prison if convicted.
Edwards has been named by police sources as one of three men who were riding in a Chevrolet Tahoe that was used in the drive-by killing of Williams, a rising NFL star, on Jan. 1.
Court records do not give details of the agreement Edwards is negotiating with the U.S. attorney’s office or say whether he is providing information about crimes that are not part of the federal drug indictment – including Williams’ death.
No one has been charged in the Williams case, and sources have not said which man in the sport utility vehicle they believe fired the shots.
The killing followed an altercation between two groups of men outside The Shelter nightclub in downtown Denver early New Year’s Day.
Jeff Dorschner, spokesman for the U.S. attorney, declined to comment Wednesday about Edwards’ case.
Edwards’ attorney, Anthony Viorst, did not return a call seeking comment. In the past, Viorst has said his client had “no involvement” with Williams’ death.
The change-of-plea hearing is set for Nov. 6 before U.S. District Judge Wiley Daniel.
The SUV the men were riding in the morning Williams was gunned down belonged to Brian Kenneth Hicks, named by investigators as the leader of the Elite Eight.
Hicks, also known as “Solo,” was in the Denver County Jail on unrelated drug charges when Williams was killed. The two other men who sources have said were in the Tahoe, Willie “Little Lett” Clark and Daniel “Pony Tail” Harris, have refused to cooperate with authorities.
The Elite Eight, a subset of the Rolling 30s Crips gang, is responsible for trafficking hundreds of kilograms of cocaine on the streets of Denver and amassing millions in profits, prosecutors and a grand jury have charged. The group is also suspected in 11 unsolved homicides, authorities have said.
Hicks was also facing state charges for the attempted murder of a witness who was set to testify against him, but a Denver district judge was forced to dismiss the case Monday because federal authorities refused to bring Hicks to court.
The witness, Kalonniann Clark, was killed Dec. 6 before she could testify in the attempted-murder case, and no one has been charged in her death. It was the third time someone had tried to kill her, but no one has ever been convicted.
Earlier this year, Investigator Robert Fuller of the Denver district attorney’s office testified that Edwards, known as “Lil Thirty Ounce,” is a close associate of Hicks and the “muscle” of the Elite Eight.
Edwards was known for carrying a Mac 10 “street-sweeper” gun and keeping guard at drug-stash houses, Fuller testified.
The investigator also testified that an informant told him, “Solo would whisper in Lil Thirty Ounce’s ear and then bodies would appear.”
Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com
