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Daniel Maumau's daughter gave a tiny wave as U.S. Marshals led her father out of a federal courtroom in shackles Wednesday.
The 2-year-old was allowed a moment to say goodbye after U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell ordered her father to spend 10 years in prison related to crimes committed on behalf of the Tongan Crip Gang.
Friends and family of the 25-year-old Maumau cried as the toddler and her handcuffed dad exchanged farewells. Earlier in court, Maumau had apologized for his crimes and said he became a changed man after the birth of his daughter.
The crimes Maumau was convicted of in his federal case — assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence — occurred in 2007. That year, Maumau said, he "felt like a little kid. I ran around like a little kid."
Maumau said he is prepared to serve prison time and hopes to obtain a college degree while behind bars.
Also sentenced before Campbell on Wednesday was Eric Kamahele, who received 32 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence; and robbery.
Maumau and Kamahele were two of six TCG members convicted in October of crimes dating back to 2002, including robberies, assaults and supporting a criminal enterprise. The verdict came after a five-week trial and two days of deliberation.
Seventeen TCG members and associates were charged in a 29-count indictment filed in federal court in May 2010, alleging the gang engages in acts of violence to enhance its prestige and to protect and expand the gang's operations.
At trial, Maumau was accused of shooting into a house during a drive-by, while Kamahele was involved in robbing a parking lot attendant. Both were also accused of being present during other gang crimes.
Maumau's attorney, Fred Metos, said his client's problems began in 1996, when at age of 10 he began associating with TCG members. He used alcohol and drugs with gang members, which led to state convictions for property crimes, assaults and substance abuse-related offenses.
In 2008 after being released from prison for an aggravated assault, Maumau got a "wake up call," Metos said, when his girlfriend became pregnant. Maumau moved to Logan and worked for a company that manufactured treadmills in an effort to cut ties with TCG. He was motivated to be a good father when his daughter was born in April 2009, Metos said.
"He realized it was more important to be there for his daughter," Metos said of his client's realization that partying with TCG was leading him down the wrong path. But it wasn't long after Maumau tried to start a new life in Logan that his old life caught up with him — he was indicted in the RICO case and taken into federal custody.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Kendall offered skepticism on whether Maumau is truly a changed man, reminding Campbell that Maumau was involved with a February 2007 shooting outside a Salt Lake City house party that killed 21-year-old Solomone TokoToko Tu'ifua.
He noted Maumau's substantial criminal record as reasons for Campbell to add more time onto Maumau's 10-year minimum sentence. Campbell ultimately decided that 10 years was enough.
"If 10 years doesn't deter Mr. Maumau, I don't know what will," Campbell said.
She offered similar comments after sentencing Kamahele, saying mandatory minimums in Kamahele's case gave her no choice except to send the 24-year-old to prison for 32 years. She said she hopes others are deterred from committing crimes by learning the fates of those involved in the TCG case.
Twitter: @mrogers_trib —
TCG case recap
A federal jury in October convicted six members of the Tongan Crip Gang (TCG) for crimes dating back to 2002, including robberies, assaults and supporting a criminal enterprise. The verdict came after a five-week trial and two days of deliberation. The defendants face potentially lengthy prison terms. Several defendants are in the middle of serving other prison terms they will need to finish before starting their new federal sentences.
Eric "Smooth" Kamahele » 24, of Cottonwood Heights
Convictions » Racketeering conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery. He was ordered to serve a mandatory minimum 32 years in prison at his Wednesday sentencing.
Mataika "Fish" Tuai » 22, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Racketeering conspiracy, robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He faces at least 10 years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 11.
David "D-Down" Kamoto » 24, of Salt Lake City
Conviction » Robbery. Jurors acquitted Kamoto on charges of maiming in aid of racketeering; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering; and firearms charges. He was ordered to serve 36 months of probation because he served state prison time for the same crime.
Daniel "D-Loc" Maumau » 25, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. Jurors acquitted Maumau on charges of conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury and a second firearms count. He was ordered to serve 10 years in prison at his Wednesday sentencing.
Kepa "Kap-Loc" Maumau » 24, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Racketeering conspiracy, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and multiple counts of using or carrying a firearm during a violent crime. He faces at least 57 years in prison when sentenced Thursday.
Sitamipa "Tok-Loc" Toki » 28, of Salt Lake City
Convictions » Assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. Jurors acquitted Toki of conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury and a second firearms count. He faces at least 10 years in prison when sentenced Jan. 11.
David "D-Nutt" Walsh » 32, of Inglewood, Calif.
Acquitted of » Conspiracy to commit assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering. Walsh will be returned to California, where he is serving a prison sentence for crimes there. He may be possibly charged with murder in Utah's 3rd District Court, after previously unrevealed testimony during the federal trial indicated he was the alleged triggerman in the 2007 murder of Solomone Tu'ifua.
Charles "Slim-Loc" Moa » 32, of West Jordan
Acquitted of » Racketeering and weapons charges. The judge ruled there was not enough evidence for Moa's case to be considered by the jury, and granted a defense attorney's motion for acquittal prior to jury deliberations. Moa was sent back to the Utah State Prison in Draper, where he is serving a state prison sentence .