By Dan Horn and Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Antwynne Beavers

The accused leader of the Tot Lot Posse pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of conspiring to sell drugs in the West End.

The plea was a dramatic about-face for Antwynne Beavers, who less than a month ago claimed he was an innocent family man. Another accused gang member, Eric Johnson, also changed his plea to guilty Thursday.

As part of the plea deal, federal prosecutors agreed to drop 29 lesser drug-related charges against Beavers and five other charges against Johnson when the men are sentenced later this year.

Other terms of the plea deal were not disclosed in court Thursday and prosecutors refused to say whether the two men had agreed to cooperate with the continuing investigation into the Tot Lot gang.

They did say, however, that additional charges against new suspects are possible.

"Other individuals may be identified as co-conspirators in this matter," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Springer. "Further charges may be brought in the future."

Authorities have said Beavers, 30, and Johnson, 27, were among the leaders of the Tot Lot Posse, which takes its name from a children's play area in the West End. Police and federal investigators have linked the gang to drug trafficking, intimidation, violence and homicides during the past two years.

Beavers and Johnson both face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

Their lawyer, Kenneth Lawson, said his clients agreed to the deal after reviewing the evidence authorities have gathered during an investigation that lasted well over a year.

According to court records, that evidence includes secretly recorded telephone conversations, surveillance and statements from confidential informants.

"They have decided to do what is in their best interest," Lawson said. "They are accepting responsibility and they are moving on with their lives."

Police Capt. Vince Demasi, investigations commander for Cincinnati Police, said the deal ensures that "we're putting these guys away for a long, long time."

U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Spiegel accepted the guilty pleas Thursday and will sentence the men after reviewing a report about their criminal activities and personal histories.

E-mail dhorn@enquirer.com; jprendergast@enquirer.com