By Dan Horn
Enquirer staff writer

Half of the eight men charged in connection with the Tot Lot Posse are now in Greater Cincinnati jails.

Jimmar Long, 21, became the fourth accused member of the West End gang to face federal conspiracy and drug charges when he pleaded not guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Long was transported to Cincinnati after being held for about two months in Atlanta, where he was arrested while traveling under a phony name.

Magistrate Judge Timothy Hogan ordered Long held without bond after federal prosecutors warned that no conditions of his release could "adequately ensure the safety of the community."

Three others linked to the Tot Lot gang have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the past month. The three men - Antwynne Beavers, 30; Eric Johnson, 27; and Raymone Johnson, 24 - each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Authorities have said Long and the others were leaders or key players in the Tot Lot Posse, which took 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.

Four others also face conspiracy charges, but they remain at large. They are Jonte Sanders, 22; Rosario Leyva Coralles, 25; Joaquin Sotelo, 38, and Ampelio Haro Rodriguez.

The charges against the accused gang members were the result of a joint federal and local investigation.

Long's attorney, Hal Arenstein, argued that his client has strong family ties to the community and asked that he be allowed to post a bond so he could remain free pending the resolution of his case.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Springer said Long is a risk to flee the area, in part because he has several drug charges pending in state court in addition to the federal charges.