Ex-fugitive indicted in 2007 Strip shooting

For almost four years, Robert S. Jackson eluded authorities, moving to four states, attempting to enlist in the military, assuming a friend's identity and joining a religious cult, prosecutors said.

Jackson, a member of the Las Vegas gang Squad Up who is accused of shooting four people on the Strip in August 2007, was captured in May in Chicago and extradited to Las Vegas on June 1.

A grand jury indictment was handed down Wednesday charging the 25-year-old with 11 felonies, including five counts of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon.

The indictment included enhancements to the charges for gang activity, which could lead to stiffer sentences if Jackson is convicted.

District Judge Linda Bell slapped Jackson with a $1 million bail after prosecutors reported his life on the lam.

Prosecutor Sonia Jimenez said that when Jackson was captured, he claimed his name was Sa-El and he had diplomatic immunity because he was a member of the Moorish Nation, a religious group based in Chicago that espouses black empowerment.

Before his time in Illinois, Jackson lived in New York, Florida and Washington.

In Washington, Jackson tried to enlist in the military but was rejected because he had an outstanding warrant in connection with the Strip shooting.

He also assumed the name of a friend while he fled authorities.

Jimenez said that while he was evading police, Jackson probably was helped by family members. But those family members denied helping him when they were interviewed by authorities.

Jackson's case was featured five times on the "America's Most Wanted" TV show, and he was named to the U.S. marshals' 15 most-wanted list.

A fugitive task force was tipped off that Jackson was in Chicago, identified him through surveillance and arrested him during a traffic stop. At the time of his arrest, his pregnant girlfriend knew him as Akeem Jackson, Jimenez said.

Bail was originally set at $500,000, but Jimenez asked the judge to double it after learning of Jackson's attempts to shake authorities.

Jackson is being held at the Clark County Detention Center. Bell set his arraignment hearing for July 6.

Jimenez said Jackson was one of several members of Squad Up who engaged in an early morning brawl with rival Wood gang members in front of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

Jackson is charged with firing five shots from a handgun during the fight.

None of the 20 gang members involved in the fight was shot, but four bystanders were struck, all of whom survived the Aug. 19, 2007, incident.

Three of those shot were tourists, including Brittany O'Dale, who came to Las Vegas for her bachelorette party. O'Dale was shot in the leg and now has a titanium rod from her knee to her ankle.

In 2004, Jackson was convicted of accessory to robbery and sentenced to probation, court records show.

His probation was revoked in May 2005, and he was sentenced to one to five years in prison.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.