Bloods gang signals and culture detailed

To the average person, seeing someone wipe the tip of his nose, then the sides with his left index finger and thumb might mean “I have an itch.” Or possibly “I have a cold.”

But to a member of the Bloods gang, according to court filings, it couldmean“I don’t trust him.”

For the past year, federal prosecutors in Maryland have been pursuing a case against 35 alleged members of a Bloods group known as the South Side Brims. Recently filed court documents describe how the tightly organized gang operated, detailing a system of ranks, hand gestures and cultural lore.

The Bloods “set,” led by a man prosecutors identified as Andre Roach, hadmembersinBaltimore, Frederick and the Eastern Shore, according a contact list obtained by prosecutors. One defendant, Theodore CliftonMatthews, is accused of killing a member of the white prison gang Dead Man Inc. with a single close-range shotgun blast in South Baltimore.

Attorneys for Roach and Matthews could not immediately be reached for comment.

Roach is serving a 50-year prison term for a 1997 murder and, according to the filings, was given the go-ahead to establish his own Bloods set in Maryland by another member of the gang he met in prison. In 2005, Roachwas given the rank of OG or Original Gangster, which signifies leadership status.

The gang’s ranks proceed down through Original Young Gangster, Young Gangster, Baby Young Gangster and Baby Gangster, according to the indictment in the case.

Rank-and-file members of the gang are referred to as “brims” or “hats.”

Most Bloods sets also have a “first lady” who acts as the secretary and manager, according to the filings. Prosecutors allege Monique Hagler had that role in the South Side Brims.

The court documents say that in April 2005, Roach told Hagler to write up the founding documents of his new gang, including an employment application, body signals, graffiti, an organizational chart, a battle cry, guidance on running a harmonious gangand14directivesknown as “The Brim’s Concept ofWar.”

Hagler pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge inMarch. Her attorney declined to comment.

newstips@baltimoresun.com