SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 30 gang members and associates on racketeering, murder, drug trafficking fraud, and firearm charges. The FBI alleges they are a part of the Sex Money Murder (SMM) gang.

According to court documents, press releases and statements in court, members of the alleged SMM gang are accused of extreme violence to retaliate against fellow members for perceived violations of gang rules. A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice mentions fraud charges involving federal COVID-19 relief and unemployment benefit programs resulting in intended losses more than $850,000.

“As alleged, the Sex Money Murder gang, a derivative of the nationally known Bloods gang, brutally enforced its purported rules, killing a 19-year-old member, and engaged in rampant drug trafficking and federal program fraud to enrich themselves,” Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said in a press release. “We will not rest until every criminal organization like SMM that wreaks havoc on our streets and prison systems and exploits programs meant to support vulnerable populations are dismantled. Thank you to every federal, state, and local law enforcement agency that came together to dismantle this criminal enterprise.”

The indictment references our area several times including in a murder in Long County in 2020, a plan for robbery in Glennvillle in 2021, a drug deal in Hinesville in 2019 and the sale of cocaine in September of 2021.

The press release states that if convicted, the defendants face the follow sentences for the listed charges:

• Life in prison or death for the murder in aid of racketeering and using a firearm in the commission of a murder
• For the racketeering conspiracy and drug conspiracy charges they face life in prison
• Up to 30 years for the wire fraud conspiracy
• Up to 20 years for the conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering

There have been arrests made in Hinesville, Savannah, Augusta and Atlanta. Officials also mentioned investigations across the country in seven other states.

During the press conference the FBI reported they are still searching two individuals including 27-year-old Quinn Howard and they believe he is in the Savannah-Hinesville area.

Officials say he is considered armed and dangerous. The other individual was not named.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the FBI Atlanta field office at 770-216-3000.

The indictment lists the following people that have been charged by a grand jury:

• Antwoine Allen
• Ryan Brandt
• Calvin Chege
• Antonia Clark
• Hakeem Curry
• Amir Douglas
• Latoya Edwards
• Brandon Gilbert
• Imani Gordon
• Hassan Harris
• Byron Hopkins
• Brian Horne
• Quinn Howard
• Anthony Jernigan
• Brandon Jones
• Leroy Jones
• Terrell King
• Robinson Lazala
• Alexander Locklear
• Kyle Oree
• Timeca Park Bishop
• Raven Symone Roberts
• Kieshaun Snead
• Calvin Stokes
• Rekora Thompson
• James Thorne
• Antwon Wade
• Travarius Walker
• Joseph Washington
• Michael Anthony Williams

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