A massive federal crackdown has pulled the curtain back on a violent criminal enterprise operating both on Florida’s streets and deep within its prison system. A four-count indictment, unsealed Friday in the Middle District of Florida, charges 11 alleged members and associates of the “Sex Money Murder-24K” (SMM-24K) gang with a laundry list of serious crimes, ranging from racketeering and drug trafficking to conspiracy to commit murder.
According to court records, SMM-24K is a branch of the notorious Bloods gang. While it originated in New York, the group has established a firm, bloody foothold in the Sunshine State.
Federal prosecutors claim the gang maintained a rigid and often lethal internal code, using extreme violence to punish any member suspected of “disrespecting” the organization or breaking its rules.
The indictment paints a chilling picture of life inside Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) facilities, where the gang reportedly maintained a literal “hit list.” This list contained the names and locations of targets, along with the specific “offenses” they were accused of. In one instance, Tyrone Conaway, 37, allegedly ordered a hit from behind bars on a fellow member accused of stealing from the gang.
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Less than two weeks later, that individual was stabbed inside the DeSoto Correctional Institution. In another case, Terry Tillman, 38, is accused of attempting to kill a man by stabbing him in the neck while an accomplice acted as a lookout.
The violence wasn’t just internal. Prosecutors allege the gang coordinated attacks on rivals, including a coordinated effort between Hernando Thompson, 40, and Alvin James, 30, to murder a rival gang member. That target was slashed in the face at one facility and then stabbed repeatedly after being transferred to a different prison just a month later.
Beyond the violence, SMM-24K allegedly ran a sophisticated drug pipeline. Members used outside associates to smuggle large quantities of methamphetamine and other narcotics into state prisons, profiting from the addictions of the inmate population.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe noted that the group showed a “callousness and determination” to keep their criminal business running despite being incarcerated.
“The crimes alleged in this indictment demonstrate the callousness and determination of the SMM-24K gang to perpetuate heinous acts in Florida’s prison system,” stated U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “Even from behind bars, this gang sought to expand their criminal enterprise through violence and illegal activities. Thanks to the diligent investigation and cooperation by our federal, state, and local partners, a major drug trafficking operation was disrupted, and its members will be forced to account for their crimes.”
“The FBI’s goal in crushing violent crime is to surge resources and partnerships, to build cases that cut into the capabilities of violent criminal networks, like Sex, Money, Murder 24K.” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office. “When we maximize impact, we disrupt the violence, and ultimately ensure our communities are safer.”
The 11 defendants now face the full weight of the federal justice system. If convicted of the racketeering or drug conspiracy charges, several of the men could face up to life in prison. Charges for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering carry an additional penalty of up to 20 years.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, with assistance from the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
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