The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced sentencing in federal court last week for Dakota James Lafave to 366 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, witness retaliation, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The case stemmed from a 2017 incident in which Lafave shot a former Native Mob gang member in the back in retaliation for testifying against fellow gang members in a federal racketeering conspiracy trial in 2013. Lafave had also hoped that the unprovoked attack would elevate his position in the Native Mob gang, according to the release.
Lafave, aka “Biggs,” 30, who authorities say has been a Native Mob gang member since 2006, was originally indicted in August 2018 on six counts including attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and felon in possession of ammunition – armed career criminal. Lafave agreed to plead guilty to the three counts in January avoiding a jury trial.
The federal racketeering case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections, according to the press release.
Lafave is also scheduled for sentencing in a separate case in Hennepin County court on Tuesday after pleading guilty in April to 2nd degree murder – with intent – not premeditated in the shooting death of Chanhassen teen Alexander Lagarde in March 2018 at Minneapolis’ Little Earth housing complex. According to the criminal complaint in that case, Lafave, and co-defendant Juan Vasquez, Jr., approached a group of young people at the housing complex, and when Lagarde tried to enter a nearby residence Vasquez fired multiple shots killing Lagarde and injuring another nearby teenager. Lafave originally faced seven felony counts in the case, six of which will likely be dismissed at sentencing.
Vasquez, who was also facing seven felony charges in the case, was sentenced in April to 39 years in prison after pleading guilty to one charge of 2nd degree intentional murder, the other six charges were dismissed.
Lafave has at least five prior felony convictions in Minnesota including three convictions for 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon, 1st degree aggravated robbery, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
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Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.