German faction of the Gangster Disciples, a gang that originated in Chicago and is listed by the FBI as one of the 15 largest gangs in the country.

Rico R. Williams, 31, of Chesapeake smiled to family members as he was led into a federal courtroom Wednesday for a bond hearing. He waived his right to a hearing and will remain in jail pending proceedings in the Washington U.S. District Court.former airman accused of leading a violent gang in Germany agreed on Wednesday to be transferred to Washington, D.C., to face charges of killing a U.S. Army sergeant during an initiation ritual.Williams is accused of leading a German faction of the Gangster Disciples, a gang that originated in Chicago and is listed by the FBI as one of the 15 largest gangs in the country.The killing of Sgt. Juwan Johnson, 25, occurred at a Gangster Disciples initiation ceremony in Hohenecken, Germany, in early July 2005.According to a report in the Stars and Stripes newspaper, Johnson sustained more than 200 blows in the six-minute beating. Williams is accused of throwing the first two blows, which knocked Johnson unconscious. Timed beatings are a signature initiation rite of the Gangster Disciples, the FBI says.

Several other service members were charged with manslaughter by the military in Germany, but the outcomes of those cases could not be learned this week. The Stars and Striped obtained details of the beating by attending court proceedings.

Johnson was found dead in his barracks the morning after the beating - on July 4, 2005. After learning of the death, Williams threatened his disciples if they reported to law enforcement what had happened, the indictment says.According to court records, Williams has two young children and is separated from his wife. It was unclear when he left the Air Force.Air Force officials did not return phone calls seeking additional information. The family members who attended Wednesday's court proceeding declined to comment other than to say they knew nothing about the accusations.Williams, who was arrested in the area Friday, will be transferred to Washington within 10 days to face charges of murder, tampering with a witness and aiding and abetting.

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