The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the life imprisonment sentence of Derrick Danard Slade, also known as 'D' and 'Solja,' following his conviction on ten federal counts related to his involvement in the 'Onsight' criminal gang. The appellate court's decision, filed January 13, 2026, upholds a jury verdict that found Slade guilty of leading a criminal enterprise that engaged in racketeering activities and violent crimes.
Slade received a total sentence of life imprisonment plus five years of supervised release after a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The conviction stems from his role as a leader in the Onsight criminal gang, which operated in South Florida and engaged in various criminal activities including robbery and firearm offenses.
The ten counts against Slade included conspiracy to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through racketeering activity under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d). This charge, designated as Count One, forms the foundation of the government's case against organized criminal enterprises and carries severe penalties for those found guilty of leading such operations.
Additionally, Slade was convicted of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, violating 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), which targets robbery that affects interstate commerce. The Hobbs Act has been a crucial tool for federal prosecutors in addressing organized crime activities that cross state lines or impact interstate commerce, making it a federal matter rather than solely a state concern.
The charges also included conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, under 18 U.S.C. § 924(o). These firearm-related charges reflect the violent nature of the criminal enterprise and carry mandatory minimum sentences that significantly increase the penalties for gang-related activities.
The case was heard by a three-judge panel consisting of Circuit Judges Brasher, Marcus, and Wilson, who issued a per curiam opinion affirming the lower court's decision. A per curiam opinion indicates that the court spoke with one voice rather than attributing the decision to a single judge, suggesting unanimous agreement on the appeal's outcome.
The original prosecution was handled in the Southern District of Florida under docket number 0:20-cr-60107-WPD-2, indicating the case was filed in 2020 and involved multiple defendants, with Slade being defendant number two in the case. The timeline from initial charges to appellate decision demonstrates the lengthy process involved in complex federal criminal cases, particularly those involving organized crime enterprises.
RICO prosecutions have been instrumental in federal efforts to combat organized crime since the law's enactment in 1970. The statute allows prosecutors to target entire criminal enterprises rather than individual crimes, enabling them to address the leadership structure and ongoing criminal activities of gangs and other organized groups. Successful RICO convictions often result in substantial prison sentences, as evidenced by Slade's life sentence.
The Eleventh Circuit's affirmation of the conviction and sentence sends a clear message about federal commitment to prosecuting gang leadership and dismantling criminal enterprises. The court's decision not to publish the opinion, as indicated by the 'NOT FOR PUBLICATION' marking, suggests the panel viewed this as a straightforward application of existing law rather than establishing new precedent.
The case reflects broader federal enforcement priorities targeting gang violence and organized crime in urban areas. The use of aliases 'D' and 'Solja' in the case caption demonstrates the street-level nature of the criminal enterprise, while the federal charges elevate the prosecution beyond typical state-level gang cases.
The substantial sentence imposed on Slade, including both the life imprisonment and supervised release components, reflects the severity of his crimes and his leadership role within the criminal organization. Federal sentencing guidelines for RICO violations and firearm offenses often result in lengthy prison terms, particularly for defendants found to be organizers or leaders of criminal enterprises.
The appellate court's decision to place the case on the non-argument calendar indicates the panel determined oral arguments were unnecessary to resolve the appeal, suggesting the legal issues presented were clear-cut based on the written briefs and record from the district court proceedings.
This case represents another successful federal prosecution of gang leadership under RICO statutes, demonstrating the continued effectiveness of these laws in addressing organized criminal activity. The affirmation by the Eleventh Circuit ensures that Slade will serve his life sentence without the possibility of appeal to higher courts absent extraordinary circumstances.
The prosecution and successful appeal represent significant investments of federal resources in combating organized crime in South Florida, an area that has historically struggled with gang violence and criminal enterprises that impact interstate commerce and community safety.