A U.S. District Court sentenced a member of the violent criminal organization known as the Third World Mob to 310 months in prison today. Klegewerges Abate, 36, of Columbus, was convicted in August 2024 following an eight-day trial. Jurors debated for less than six hours before convicting him on all charges.
Abate, also known by the aliases “Bells,” “Robell,” and “Sosa,” was convicted of conspiracy to traffic at least 1,000 kg of marijuana, weapons violations, and wire fraud in connection with fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 pandemic relief monies.
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Court documents and trial testimony indicated that Third World Mob members brought hundreds of pounds of marijuana into Ohio from locations like California and Georgia for sale in central Ohio. They used U-Haul trucks and rental automobiles to transport drugs and rented or leased residences as “stash houses” to store drugs and cash.
Abate and his associates found approximately $940,000 in cash in a bag at a home on Phlox Avenue in Blacklick in August 2019. A search of a house on Chapel Stone Road in Blacklick in November 2022 revealed Abate and two co-conspirators in possession of nearly 700 kg of marijuana and three guns.
The Third World Mob was also responsible for other killings. Conflicts with other traffickers and failed drug sales led to the deaths of Yiarid Tesfai and Fentahun Megistu, both members of the Third World Mob. Tesfai was assassinated on Reeb Avenue in 2020, while Megistu was killed in a botched drug sale in front of a Third World Mob stash house on 12th Avenue in 2021.
The gang used violence and threats to maintain control of their narcotics operations. Surveillance film shown at trial showed Abate, a convicted felon, shooting a guy in a Columbus restaurant. Jurors also heard evidence of repeated shootings, a pistol whipping, and other forms of intimidation.
Abate was also found guilty of wire fraud for falsely applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, claiming to be a self-employed gardener while selling drugs.
Since 2021, seven Third World Mob members have faced federal charges. Co-defendant Abubakarr Savage, 36, was sentenced in July 2025 to more than 15 years in prison. In November 2023, fellow gang member Menelik Solomon pled guilty and received a similar term.
