Federal authorities to turn over 4 Dallas homes bought by gangs to Habitat for Humanity

DALLAS — Federal authorities are turning over four former gang-owned properties in Dallas to the local Habitat for Humanity.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Police Chief David Brown and U.S. Attorney Sarah Saldana are expected to attend a Tuesday transfer ceremony.

Saldana's office says the properties used to belong to the Gator Boyz street gang, which purchased them with money from drug trafficking. Prosecutors say that in addition to drug dealing, gang members lived up to their group's name — walking an alligator on a leash down the street and terrifying neighbors.

The gang's leaders are now serving multi-year prison sentences.

Demolition on the properties is expected to begin after the ceremony.

Federal authorities to turn over 4 Dallas homes bought by gangs to Habitat for Humanity