Police arrest Oak Lawn murder suspect known as ‘Black Jesus’

by David Webb of of Dallas Voice

Dallas Police Department homicide officers this week arrested and charged a suspect in the murder of a 31-year-old McKinney man who was gunned down in the Oak Lawn entertainment district on April 16, according to police.

The suspect was identified as Darrell Jenkins, 23. Police officials announced his arrest on Thursday, April 26. He is being held without bail on a capital murder charge in the Dallas County Jail.

Oak Lawn interactive community police officer Keith Allen said Jenkins was known as “Black Jesus” around the neighborhood, and he worked as a male prostitute.

He lived in vacant buildings, Allen said.

Jenkins’ mug shot is not being released because police believe he may be a suspect in other armed robberies in the area, he said.

Police plan to have victims in those robberies view line-ups to determine if they recognize Jenkins, Allen said.

Jenkins has been in custody since April 17 on outstanding drug violation warrants unrelated to the capital murder charge, Allen said.

“We’ve been working feverishly trying to put a case together before we had to release him,” he said.

Allen said there are no other supects in the murder of the McKinney man. Other people who knew Jenkins and were hanging out with him the night of the killing apparently were unaware of any robbery plans, he said.

During a meeting with Oak Lawn business owners and community leaders on Tuesday, April 24, police officials hinted that an arrest might be imminent.

Police reportedly had identified a person of interest more than a week ago but had not made any public statements to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Lt. Mike Black, of the Central Patrol Division, told the group that the McKinney’s man killer might be a member of a group of people who have long blighted Oak Lawn with their presence — hustlers.

“Don’t be surprised if you learn a male prostitute committed this murder,” Black said.

Black made the announcement at a meeting of Oak Lawn business people and community leaders at The Rose Room. The meeting was called to outline the police department’s plans to combat crime in the entertainment district.

The Cedar Springs Merchants Association and the Oak Lawn Apartment Managers and Stakeholders Crime Watch group had met previously with police officials to discuss their concerns about crime in the entertainment district.

Black said the department’s plan had been in development before the murder of Jose Landa on April 16.

Seven police officers and two City Council members were among the 60 people who attended the community meeting this week where Black outlined his strategy to target hustlers in Oak Lawn. In addition to street prostitution, hustlers frequently are involved in drug trafficking, thefts, robbery, burglaries, panhandling and other crimes, said Oak Lawn police officer Laura Martin, who is the liaison to the LGBT community.

The police department’s plan calls for an increase in the number of police officers on foot and patrol car duty in the entertainment district, a paddy wagon on site nightly, more interaction with visitors to the area and the presence of the Central Business District Skywatch Tower on Cedar Springs Road.

“We need your help calling in suspicious people to 911,” Black said. “With your help, we’re going to do it.”

Police officers stressed that individuals cannot be stopped and questioned on the basis of anonymous phone calls. The callers must provide their names and phone numbers to ensure that police officers do not violate anyone’s constitutional rights, police said.

Some people in the audience raised concerns about police officers ticketing people for traffic violations and other minor offenses, but Black said the intention would not be to harass patrons of the nightclubs and other businesses.

Crime watch activist Nancy Weinberger, who helped coordinate the meeting, said the business owners and residents of Oak Lawn want police officers to follow a “no-tolerance” policy.

“If you are behaving yourself, you don’t need to worry,” Weinberger told the audience.

Black said the stepped-up patrol was launched on April 20 and will be continued indefinitely. It was made possible by the approval of overtime pay by City Manager Mary Suhm.

City Councilwoman Pauline Medrano said she had visited the entertainment district last weekend and observed the police officers: “They were touching base with everyone who was out walking on Cedar Springs Road,” she noted.

Oak Lawn interactive community police officer Keith Allen said the program would be adjusted as necessary to put police in the right places at the right times. “We understand this is going to be a work in progress, and we will adjust as necessary,” Allen said.

City Councilwoman Angela Hunt said the murder of Landa last week has underscored the need Dallas has for more well-trained police officers on the streets. She promised that would happen in the next couple of years as Chief of Police David Kunkle carries out his plans to hire and train new officers during the next two years.

“We’re going to have the largest police force ever,” Hunt said. “But it has to be built up slowly so they are properly trained.”

Police officials said they plan more meetings with the community to discuss concerns and develop their strategies.