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4 held after pleading not guilty in alleged home invasions

They are alleged to be part of a 16-member “serial-robbery gang,” according to authorities.

FOUR MEN arrested last week as part of an alleged 16-member "serial-robbery gang" pleaded not guilty in federal court yesterday and were ordered to remain in custody pending trial.

Attorneys for defendants Levern Jackson, 45, of Philadelphia, and Jamal Doggett, 35, of Willingboro, N.J., argued for their clients to be released to home confinement, but U.S. Magistrate Carol Sandra Moore Wells ordered them held in custody.

Meanwhile, attorneys for defendants Mark Woods, 46, and Marcus Bowens, 24, both of Philadelphia, agreed for their clients to be held in custody pending trial.

The four are among 16 men charged in an indictment unsealed last Thursday that accuses the men of violent home-invasion robberies or attempted robberies.

One attempted robbery occurred at a Center City jewelry store, authorities said.

More details were released yesterday about the indictment, in particular about a horrific home invasion in which Jackson allegedly participated.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Salvatore Astolfi, in arguing for Jackson to remain behind bars, said one of two cases that Jackson allegedly participated in was especially brutal.

On April 16, 2014, Jackson; Khalil Smith, 32, the group's alleged ringleader; and others allegedly went to a house on Regent Street near 61st in Southwest Philly, believing that the victims were drug dealers.

"It turned out they were wrong," Astolfi said.

The couple in the home - a man and his six-months-pregnant wife - were hog-tied and stripped naked, Astolfi said. Their 4-year-old daughter also was at home, he said.

The defendants forced the man into a bathtub, poured boiling water on his midsection and waterboarded him, according to authorities. When they realized they had the wrong house, they stole the victims' car keys and vehicle, Astolfi said.

Court records show that Jackson was convicted of murder in Common Pleas Court in March 1995 for a 1993 slaying and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.

Special Agent Steve Bartholomew, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led the investigation in the federal case, said three of the 16 defendants remain fugitives - Hasan Chaney, 26, Brandon Segers, 27, and Braheim Ballard, 36, all of Philadelphia.

Tipsters should call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).