Minneapolis Man Sentenced in Federal Street Gang Crackdown

Ronnell Lockhart received 35 months in prison for RICO and drug conspiracy charges.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

One of dozens of people charged in a federal effort to address violence involving street gangs in Minneapolis, Ronnell Lockhart, was sentenced to nearly three years in prison on Tuesday. Lockhart was convicted of racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO) conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Why it matters

This case is part of a broader federal crackdown on street gang violence in Minneapolis, which has seen a rise in incidents involving the Highs and Bloods gangs in recent years, including a 2020 shootout and murder and an April 2022 killing.

The details

In May 2023, 45 members of the Highs and Bloods street gangs in Minneapolis were arrested and indicted in the first use of RICO charges in the city since the law was established in the 1970s. The indictments alleged the gang members participated in a "brutal and unrelenting trail of violence over the course of years."

  • Lockhart was sentenced on February 17, 2026.
  • In May 2023, 45 members of the Highs and Bloods gangs were arrested and indicted.
  • The 2020 shootout and murder at the 200 Club in north Minneapolis occurred.
  • The April 2022 murder outside of William's Pub in Uptown occurred.

The players

Ronnell Lockhart

A Minneapolis man convicted of RICO conspiracy and drug conspiracy charges as part of the federal crackdown on street gangs.

Highs

A Minneapolis street gang that was the target of a federal RICO indictment in May 2023.

Bloods

A Minneapolis street gang that was the target of a federal RICO indictment in May 2023.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge's sentencing of Ronnell Lockhart to 35 months in prison is part of the broader federal crackdown on the Highs and Bloods street gangs in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

This case highlights the federal government's efforts to use RICO charges to address the persistent problem of street gang violence in Minneapolis, which has included high-profile incidents of shootouts and murders in recent years.