
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 4, 1990                   TAG: 9006040123
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Short

INMATES TELL OF GANG TERROR IN NORFOLK JAIL

New inmates in the Norfolk City Jail have been beaten, gang-raped and slashed with homemade knives by a gang of young drug dealers known as the Tennis Shoe Mob, some prisoners say.

Floyd Rainey and other prisoners who have witnessed attacks by the jailed dealers over the past four months say gang members believe they will make more room for themselves in the crowded cells if they force others out through beatings and intimidation.

"They're just like wild dogs," said Rainey, 42, who has been in custody since early March on burglary, forgery and embezzlement charges. "Most of the time, they single out the weakest ones. . . . "

Jail officials refused to comment on the gang's activities. Police were not aware of the group, since jail incidents are not investigated unless there is a homicide or a request is made by the sheriff's department.

But in four separate interviews with The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star since February, former and current inmates described a threat that has mushroomed as increasing numbers of drug dealers are arrested and thrown into the already crowded jail.

Two former inmates came to the newspaper office and two inmates called a reporter from the jail.

by CNB