9 charged in St. Paul gang rape

[Lucinda F. Boyd]

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Prosecutors have charged nine people in connection with an alleged gang rape in St. Paul last November.

A criminal complaint issued Friday says the defendants, five adults and four juveniles, are reported members of the "True Blood 22" street gang.

"They are a documented criminal street gang that operates in the Twin Cities," said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi.  "The facts outlined in this complaint are horrible."

Prosecutors say the 14-year-old victim and a friend went to a party hosted by the gang members the night of November 17. Eventually the gathering moved to an abandoned house on the 200 block of White Bear Avenue in St. Paul.  

The victim told investigators that when she and her friend decided to go home the defendants forced them back into the house. She says the men carried her into a bedroom and held her down while a number of the defendants took turns sexually assaulting her.

"This crime was every parent's worst nightmare," said Choi. "A young girl was lured to a party, given alcohol, then forcibly abducted when she tried to leave and raped by a group of gang members. Crimes like these shock the conscience of our community."

The adults charged in the assault are 37-year-old Kong Meng Vang, 19-year-old Vang Tou Ger Vue, 18-year-old Vanchai Xoing, 23-year-old Mang Yang, and 22-year-old Mitchell Teng Yang.

The men are all charged with aiding and abetting one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct, conspiracy to commit first degree sexual conduct, , kidnapping of a victim under the age of 16, and committing a crime for the benefit of a gang.

Choi's office will ask that the juveniles arrested in the attack be waived into adult court.  

All but one of those charged in the incident are currently in custody. Prosecutors say police have been aware of the TB 22's for at least five years, and say the alleged gang rape is typical of their behavior