Black Mafia Family: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American criminal organization}} |
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{{Copy edit|date=February 2011}}{{cleanup-link rot|date=November 2011}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} |
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{{About|the Detroit-based organized crime group connected to the hip-hop music business|the African-American organized crime group operating in the Philadelphia Metro Area|Black Mafia|the television series|BMF (TV series){{!}}''BMF'' (TV series)|the [[SZA]] song|BMF (song)}} |
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{{Infobox Criminal organization |
{{Infobox Criminal organization |
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|name |
| name = Black Mafia Family |
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| image = MeechAndJBO.jpg |
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|image_size = |
| image_size = 240 |
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|caption |
| caption = Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory (right, in green) and Chad "J-Bo" Brown |
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|founded |
| founded = Late 1985; "BMF" acronym started to be used around 2000 |
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|founding_location = [[Detroit, Michigan |
| founding_location = [[Detroit]], Michigan, U.S. |
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| years_active = 1985–present<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/pubs/pressrel/pr102805.html|title=DEA Deals Motor City Mafia a Knock-out Blow|work=Drug Enforcement Administration|date=28 October 2005|access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.streetgangs.com/news/012710_23gangmembers/ |title=23 gang members arrested in crackdown |access-date=April 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/more-two-dozen-arrested-roundup-members-and-associates-black-mafia-family |title=Eastern District of Missouri | More than Two Dozen Arrested in Roundup of Members and Associates of the Black Mafia Family | United States Department of Justice |date=October 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gangsterreport.com/is-bmf-bouncing-back-recent-slaying-in-super-gangs-hometown-of-detroit-has-street-talking-of-syndicates-renewed-presence/ |title=Is BMF Bouncing Back? Recent Slaying in Gang's Hometown of Detroit Has Street Talking of Syndicate's Renewed Presence |date=January 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/drug-ring-leader-sentenced-27-years-prison-drugs-and-murders | title=Eastern District of Missouri | Drug Ring Leader Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Drugs and Murders | United States Department of Justice | date=May 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/kyw/news/2011/20111026-01.html|title=Member Of "Black Mafia Family" Sentenced To 30 Years For Conspiracy To Possess And Distribute Coca|via=USDOJ: US Attorney's Office - Western District of Kentucky|website=www.justice.gov|date=October 26, 2011}}</ref> |
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|years_active = Late 1980s-2005 |
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| territory = States: Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio |
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|territory = California, South Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Milwaukee, New York, Kentucky, Louiville, St. Louis, Orlando (other states unknown) |
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| membership = Over 500<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/06/15/black-mafia-family-leader-big-meech-gets-break-detroit-drug-case/7698332002/|title=Black Mafia Family leader 'Big Meech' gets prison break in Detroit drug case|first=Robert|last=Snell|website=The Detroit News}}</ref> |
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|ethnicity = [[African-American]] |
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| activities = Drug trafficking, [[money laundering]] |
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|membership = Over 150 members indicted thus far, estimated total membership at peak over 500 |
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| allies = [[Folk Nation]] ([[Gangster Disciples]], [[Black Disciples]], Black Gangsters, Insane Spanish Cobras, [[Maniac Latin Disciples]], [[Imperial Gangsters]], Gangster Sin City Boys, [[Simon City Royals]], etc), [[Crips]], [[Zoe Pound]], etc. |
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|activities = Drug trafficking, Money laundering, Murder (none included in indictment, charged separately) |
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| rivals = [[People Nation]] (Cash Flow Posse, [[Latin Counts]], Out Cold Gangsters, Vice Lords, Almighty Gaylords, [[Latin Kings (gang)|Latin Kings]], etc) [[Bloods]], [[Aryan Brotherhood]] and other white supremacist gangs, etc. |
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|allies = [[Crips]], [[Pirus|Campanella Park Piru]] |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Black Mafia Family''' ( |
The '''Black Mafia Family''' ('''BMF''') is a drug trafficking and [[money laundering]] organization in the United States. It was founded in 1985, in [[Boynton–Oakwood Heights|Southwest Detroit]] by brothers Demetrius Edward "Big Meech" Flenory and Terry Lee "Southwest Tee" Flenory. By 2000 it had established [[cocaine]] distribution sales throughout the United States through its [[Los Angeles]]-based drug source and direct links to Mexican [[drug cartel]]s.<ref name="DOJRelease">{{cite press release|url=https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2008/detroit091208a.html|title=Black Mafia Family Members Sentenced to 30 Years|publisher=US Drug Enforcement Administration|access-date=November 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916143544/http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2008/detroit091208a.html|archive-date=September 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.law.com/jsp/tx/LawDecisionTX.jsp?id=1202447924245 ''United States v. Smith''], April 7, 2010, [[ALM (company)|Law.com]]</ref> The Black Mafia Family operated from two main hubs: one in [[Atlanta]] for distribution run by Demetrius Flenory and one in Los Angeles to handle incoming shipments from Mexico run by Terry Flenory.<ref name="DEA">[https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2008/detroit091208a.html "Black Mafia Family Members Sentenced to 30 Years"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916143544/http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2008/detroit091208a.html |date=September 16, 2011 }}, September 12, 2008, [[Drug Enforcement Administration]]</ref> |
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The Black Mafia Family under Demetrius Flenory entered the [[hip-hop]] music business as BMF Entertainment in the early 2000s as a [[front organization]] to launder money from cocaine sales and to legitimize itself. BMF Entertainment served as a [[Promoter (entertainment)|promoter]] for several high-profile hip-hop artists, and as a record label for their sole artist Bleu DaVinci. Demetrius Flenory and the Black Mafia Family became famous in hip-hop culture for their highly extravagant lifestyles. |
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Around 2000, the organization tried to legitimize itself by entering the [[Hip-Hop]] music business, starting a company called BMF Entertainment. Through BMF Entertainment, it helped promote a number of artists, including [[Young Jeezy]], as well as BMF Entertainment's sole artist, Bleu DaVinci. Before their entrance into the music business, the Flenory Brothers were known to associate with a number of high-profile hip-hop artists, including [[Jay-Z]], [[Fabolous]], and [[Bun B]]. |
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In 2005, the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] indicted members of the Black Mafia Family, ultimately securing convictions |
In 2005, the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] indicted members of the Black Mafia Family, ultimately securing convictions by targeting the Flenory brothers under the [[Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute]], and both were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. Prosecutors alleged the Black Mafia Family made over $270 million in the course of their operations.<ref name="auto"/> |
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==Flenory brothers== |
==Flenory brothers== |
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Demetrius Edward "Big Meech" Flenory Sr. (born June 21, 1968, in Detroit, Michigan) and his brother Terry Lee "Southwest Tee" Flenory (born January 10, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan) began selling $50 bags of cocaine on the streets of Detroit during their high school years in the late 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/detroit112007.html|title=News from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, Detroit News Releases, 11/20/07|access-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802024323/http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/detroit112007.html|archive-date=August 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://www.atlantamagazine.com/february2010/blackmafia.aspx "The Black Mafia Family"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607192932/http://www.atlantamagazine.com/february2010/blackmafia.aspx |date=June 7, 2011 }}, February 2010, ''[[Atlanta Magazine]]''</ref> Hence their original group was known as "50 Boyz". By 2000, the Flenory brothers had established a large organization overseeing multi-kilogram cocaine distribution sales in numerous U.S. states including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee.<ref name=BMFIndictment/> A two-year federal investigation of the Flenory organization estimated its nationwide membership at over 500. |
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[[Demetrius Flenory|Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory]] and his younger brother Terry "Southwest T" Flenory began their rise in crime by selling $50 bags of [[crack cocaine]] on the streets of [[Detroit|Southwest Detroit]] and [[Ecorse, MI]] during their high school years. By 2000, they had established [[illegal drug trade|multi-kilogram]] cocaine distribution cells in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. A two-year federal investigation of the organization concluded that its membership, estimated at over 500, was extensive and nationwide. Around 2001, there was a split between the brothers, with Terry Flenory moving to Los Angeles with his girlfriend to head his own organization and Demetrius staying in Atlanta with his younger brother MARTEZ SANTONIO(RICH)JACKSON and his mother BETTY(BOO)JACKSON. By 2003, the two had been involved in a major falling out and rarely spoke to one another. Also around this time, they began to refer to their activities as being part of the "Black Mafia Family". Before this, they did not have any formal name to their organization.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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In a conversation with his sister, caught by the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] on a wiretap, Terry discussed how he was worried his brother's excessive partying would bring the wrong type of attention to their business. |
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Around 2003, the organization experienced a [[schism]] when the Flenory brothers began to feud, with Terry Flenory moving to [[Los Angeles]] to head his own organization, while Demetrius Flenory remained at the main distribution center in Atlanta. By 2003, the two had been involved in a major falling out and rarely spoke to one another.<ref name=BMFIndictment>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/21970468/Demetrius-Meech-Flenory-BMF-Indictment|title=Demetrius "Meech" Flenory BMF Indictment | PDF | Organized Crime Groups | Misconduct|website=Scribd}}</ref> In a conversation with his brothers caught by the DEA on [[wiretap]], Terry discussed his worries that his brother Demetrius was bringing the wrong type of attention to their business with his excessive partying. By the time charges were filed against the Flenorys, the government had 900 pages of typed transcripts of wiretapped conversations from Terry's phone in a five-month period.<ref name="BMFIndictment"/> |
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By the time charges were filed, the government had 900 pages of typed transcripts of [[wiretap]]ped conversations from Terry's phone in a 5 month period.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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In November 2007, the brothers pleaded guilty to running a continuing criminal enterprise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/detroit112007a.html|title=The Second of Two Drug Kingpins Plead Guilty To Drug and Money Laundering Charges|publisher=US Drug Enforcement Administration|date=November 20, 2007|work=News release|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112215731/http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/detroit112007a.html}}</ref> In September 2008, both brothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison for running a nationwide cocaine-trafficking ring, which lasted from 2000 to 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2008/09/14/bmf-founders-sentenced-to-30-years-in-prison/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720073340/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2008/09/14/bmf-founders-sentenced-to-30-years-in-prison/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 20, 2012|title=BMF Founders Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison|last=Starbury|first=Allen|date=September 14, 2008|publisher=BallerStatus}}</ref> Demetrius Flenory served out his sentence at [[Federal Correctional Institution, Sheridan]] and was released on October 16, 2024.<ref name="bop-loc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&FirstName=Demetrius&LastName=Flenory|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729001907/http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&FirstName=Demetrius&LastName=Flenory|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2012|title=Inmate Locator: Demetrius Flenory|author=Federal Bureau of Prisons|publisher=US Department of Justice|access-date=May 17, 2012}}</ref> Terry Flenory was released to home confinement on May 5, 2020, after being granted a compassionate release due to health ailments and an effort from the [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]] to release certain inmates in order to limit the spread of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] within federal prisons. Demetrius Flenory also sought his release under the same guidelines; however, a federal judge rejected the move, claiming it would be premature to authorize his release as his prison record suggests he has not changed and continues to promote himself as a drug kingpin, further stating his disciplinary record includes violations such as possession of a cell phone and weapons as well as drug use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegrio.com/2020/05/06/bmf-leader-big-meech-early-release/|title=Black Mafia Family leader 'Big Meech' early release halted|date=May–June 2020|work=thegrio.com}}</ref> |
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In November 2007, the brothers plead guilty to running a continuing criminal enterprise.<ref>ttp://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/detroit112007a.html</ref> In September 2008, both brothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison for running a large scale nationwide cocaine trafficking ring across the United States from 2000 through 2005. |
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==BMF Entertainment== |
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With credit for three years time served, "Big Meech", now 41, is scheduled to be released on February 25, 2032 , or around his 61st birthday; "Southwest T", now 39, is scheduled to be released on December 14, 2031and their younger brother MARTEZ SANTONIO JACKSON given 36 months... |
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In the late 2000s, Demetrius Flenory established BMF Entertainment as a promotion agency and record label for hip-hop music. The Flenory brothers were already known to associate with numerous high-profile hip-hop artists including [[Sean Combs]], [[Trina]], [[T.I.]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Young Jeezy]] and [[Fabolous]]. Demetrius founded BMF Entertainment as a [[front organization]] for money laundering the cash generated by the cocaine distribution network but was also an attempt to create a legitimate business and legal source of income. Around this time, the Flenory organization formally adopted the name "Black Mafia Family" after previously being unnamed.{{cn|date=August 2023}} |
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In 2005, Bleu Da Vinci's album, ''World Is BMF's'', was nominated for a [[Source Awards|Source Award]]. BMF appeared in numerous underground hip-hop [[DVD magazine]]s, most notably several issues of ''S.M.A.C.K.'' and ''The Come Up''. The organization's most highly visible appearance was in a full-length DVD produced by ''[[The Raw Report DVD-Magazine|The Raw Report]]'', which gave a detailed inside look at their movement. The DVD was featured in ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'''s cover article on BMF in May 2006. It received wide acclaim from DJs for the Soundsmith Productions produced song "Streets on Lock",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/1071221 |title=Bleu DaVinci – Streets On Lock|publisher=Discogs|access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> headed by BMF affiliate Bleu Davinci and featuring Fabolous and Young Jeezy. A music video<ref>{{cite video|people=Bleu Davinci featuring Young Jeezy and Fabolous |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYmrFIQTdMw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/RYmrFIQTdMw| archive-date=October 29, 2021|title=Streets on Lock |access-date=January 8, 2012|medium=Music video}}{{cbignore}}</ref> was later produced for the single, though it was never released to networks. |
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Big Meech is serving out his sentence at [[United States Penitentiary, Atlanta|''Atlanta USP'']] in [[Atlanta, GA]]. His brother Southwest T is serving his sentence at [[Federal Correctional Institution, Herlong|Herlong FCI]] in [[Herlong, CA]].<ref>[http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2008/09/5454/ BMF Founders Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison] ''BallerStatus.com''</ref><ref>[http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/LocateInmate.jsp Inmate Locator]</ref> |
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''[[Creative Loafing]]'' senior editor Mara Shalhoup wrote a three-part series about the Black Mafia Family entitled ''Hip-Hop's Shadowy Empire'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-196219-bmf---hip-hop-s-shadowy-empire---part|last=Shalhoup|first=Mara|title=Hip-hop's shadowy empire|date=December 6, 2006|newspaper=Creative Loafing}}</ref> which was the first in-depth report on the organization. Shalhoup's book on the organization, ''BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family'', was published in March 2005.{{cn|date=August 2023}} |
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==Hip-hop presence== |
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==Investigation== |
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In 2004, ''World Is BMF's''' was nominated for a Source Award. BMF appeared in numerous underground hip-hop DVD magazines, most notably several issues of [http://www.smackdvdmagazine.com/about_us.htm ''S.M.A.C.K.'' DVD Magazine] and ''The Come Up'' DVD. The organization's most highly visible appearance was in a full-length DVD that was produced by [http://www.rawreport.com/thevolumes/volume2.htm#bmf ''The Raw Report'' DVD-Magazine], which gave a detailed inside look at their movement. This DVD was featured in the cover article on BMF in the May 2006 issue of ''VIBE'' magazine. |
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===Operation Motor City Mafia=== |
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It received wide acclaim from radio and mixtapes DJs for the song "Streets on Lock",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/1071221 |title=Bleu DaVinci - Streets On Lock (Vinyl) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> headed by BMF affiliate Bleu Davinci featuring Fabolous and Young Jeezy. A music video<ref>{{cite web|author=Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment! |url=http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=RYmrFIQTdMw |title=Bleu Davinci Jeezy Fabolous-Streets on Lock - YouTube |publisher=Ca.youtube.com |date=2007-04-28 |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> was later produced for the hit single, however never released to networks. |
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[[Image:lincolnlimoBMF.jpg|thumb|[[Lincoln Navigator]] [[stretch limo]] owned by BMF used to transport money and [[cocaine]].]] |
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[[File:Trap compartment inside limo owned by BMF - Black Mafia Family.jpg|thumb|Hidden compartments inside the Lincoln limousine used to transport cocaine and money.]] |
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Police investigation into the Black Mafia began sometime in the early 1990s, before the organization operated by Demetrius and Terry Flenory was named or reached peak distribution. The lead-up to the October 2005 indictments began with a series of large drug seizures and subsequent informant testimonies from BMF members. On October 28, 2003, a two-year [[Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force]] investigation began, coordinated by the DEA's Special Operations Division and codenamed "Operation Motor City Mafia". |
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[http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/index ''Creative Loafing''] senior editor Mara Shalhoup wrote an award-winning three-part series about the Black Mafia Family titled [http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:164707 ''Hip-Hop's Shadowy Empire''], which was the first in-depth report on the organization. Her book on the group [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0312383932 ''BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family''] was published in March 2010. |
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On April 11, 2004, BMF courier and high-level distributor Jabari Hayes was pulled over in [[Phelps County, Missouri]] along [[Interstate 44|I-44]] driving a 40-foot [[motor home]],{{Clarify|reason=Was it a motor home or a Range Rover?|date=July 2022}} supposedly for swerving over the fog line. Two suitcases containing approximately 95 kilograms of cocaine and 572 grams of marijuana were found in the back of the [[Range Rover]] after a K-9 unit alerted to drugs in the vehicle.<ref name="BMFIndictment"/> |
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Demetrius was interviewed from prison in [http://www.dondivamag.com/issue35.html ''Issue 35''] of ''Don Diva'' magazine after his sentencing. |
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In mid-September 2004, a wiretap on Rafael "Smurf" Allison, a low-level [[Crack (drug)|crack]] dealer in Atlanta, led an [[HIDTA]] task force to Decarlo Hoskins, a mid-level dealer. Hoskins informed them that he had grown up with two brothers, Omari McCree and Jeffrey Leahr, who were BMF members and able to supply multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine regularly. Wiretaps revealed that Omari McCree was a high-level distributor for the Flenory organization and was favored by Demetrius. |
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There are many hip hop artists who have been associated with BMF as a group and Big Meech in particular. Some of those artists include [[Young Jeezy]], Bleu DaVinci, [[Slim Thug]], [[Fabolous]], and many other well-known artists. |
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On November 5, 2004, Jeffrey Leahr was pulled over with his girlfriend on [[I-75]] in Atlanta due to the wiretaps. In the back seat was a duffel bag containing 10 kilograms of cocaine. They were released later that day in an attempt by HIDTA to gather more information in regards to their supplier and the organization using wiretaps. McCree and Leahr, facing a large debt to BMF for the lost cocaine, went on the run. When picked up on June 8, 2005, Unknown signed a confidential-source agreement and described his role in BMF, naming Demetrius Flenory as the source of the cocaine. Chad "J-Bo" Brown, supplied him with cocaine on behalf of Demetrius. These events and a number of others formed the backbone of the government's case. During trial, the government's star witness was William "Doc" Marshall.<ref name="BMFIndictment"/> |
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In February 2009, Demetrius was interviewed from prison by [http://www.thesource.com/2009/02/hustlaz-ambition-bmfs-big-meech/ ''The Source''] magazine via telephone. |
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Testimony given during various trials indicated the Flenory organization operated as follows: BMF operated five stash houses in the Atlanta area. Approximately every 10 days, vehicles would arrive with 100–150 kilograms of cocaine packed in secret compartments. Workers at the stash houses were paid to unload the drugs and store them.<ref name="BMFBook"/> Customers who ordered would call in and say they had their vehicle ready – meaning a transportation vehicle to put the narcotics in. Depending on the size of their order, they were directed to a particular stash house where they would pull in, go inside, and hand over money in $5,000 bundles. The cocaine was usually sold at $20,000 per kilogram.<ref name="BMFBook"/> The same vehicles would then be filled with cash (the proceeds from drug sales) to be sent back to the Mexican sources of supply.<ref>[http://atlanta.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/at121708a.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102004030/http://atlanta.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/at121708a.htm|date=January 2, 2009}}</ref> Workers inside the stash houses had certain duties, such as counting bulk amounts of cash, usually in the millions. Other people were packaging the cocaine for customers. BMF also received drugs through large containers at the airport containing 100–150 kilograms of cocaine, which they picked up and delivered to stash houses.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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In July 2010, rapper [[Rick Ross (rapper)|Rick Ross]] released a song titled, "[[B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)]]". The song makes reference to Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory as well as [[Larry Hoover]], founder of the Chicago-based street gang the [[Gangster Disciples]]. Rapper [[Young Jeezy]] released a similarly titled song shortly thereafter, causing a small controversy; however, Young Jeezy has stated it was not in any way a diss song aimed at Ross. |
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===2005 raids and arrests=== |
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In September 2010, the [[History (TV channel)|History Channel]] aired a segment on its ''[[Gangland (TV series)|Gangland]]'' series about the Black Mafia Family titled "Death Before Dishonor." The segment included interviews with Mara Shalhoup, the author of a book on BMF.<ref name="Gangland">{{cite web|title=Gangland (Death Before Dishonor)|url=http://www.history.com/shows/gangland|publisher=History Channel|accessdate=25 September 2010}}</ref> |
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[[File:Encinomoneyseizure.jpg|thumb|Money seized from the BMF by the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]]]] |
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In October 2005, some 30 members of BMF were arrested in a massive drug raid orchestrated by the DEA. During these raids, the DEA seized $3 million in cash and assets, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, and numerous weapons.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr102805.html |title=DEA Deals Motor City Mafia a Knock-out Blow|date=October 28, 2005 |publisher=United States Drug Enforcement Administration|access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> Prior to the October 2005 raids, the DEA had arrested 17 BMF members, seized 632 kilograms of cocaine, $5.3 million in cash, and $5.7 million in assets. They claimed BMF was responsible for moving over 2,500 kilograms of cocaine a month throughout the United States. |
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Demetrius Flenory and Terry Flenory were charged under the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute, conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Demetrius was captured in a large home in a suburb outside [[Dallas]]. Inside, police found a small amount of marijuana and a few [[MDMA]] pills. In a safe inside the house were several weapons, as well as multiple vehicles at the home. Terry was captured in [[St. Louis]] with small amounts of marijuana and weapons found throughout the house, which was also occupied by multiple people at the time of the arrest. |
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===Lifestyle=== |
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[[Image:MeechStashHouse.jpg|right|thumb|Alleged BMF stash house in Atlanta; nicknamed "Space Mountain".]] |
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===2006 indictments=== |
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[[Image:BMF-TerryLAHome.jpg|right|thumb|Terry Flenory's Los Angeles home.]] |
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On June 15, 2006, the [[U.S. Department of Treasury]] reported that 16 additional individuals had been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering charges under a second, superseding indictment, bringing the number of people charged in the case to 49. The list of accused included Jacob Arabo, popularly known as [[Jacob the Jeweler]], a well-known celebrity jeweler in the hip-hop community. Arabo was charged with conspiracy to launder more than $270 million in illegally obtained funds.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sales |first=Nancy Jo |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2006/11/jacob200611?currentPage=1 |title=Is Hip-Hop's Jeweler on the Rocks? |newspaper=Vanity Fair |date=November 2006 |access-date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130122805/http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2006/11/jacob200611?currentPage=1 |archive-date=November 30, 2009 }}</ref> |
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As depicted in their numerous DVD and music video appearances, BMF members engaged in a lavish lifestyle perhaps not fitting of many up-and-coming hip-hop labels. Big Meech sometimes bought every BMF member his own bottle of Louis Roederer [[Cristal champagne]] or Perrier Jouet Rosé while out partying at clubs, which often meant purchasing Cristal by the caseload. The Black Mafia Family was known for throwing upwards of $20,000 in $1 bills in the air and at strippers while at clubs. |
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The [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] also shed light on more of the group's alleged activities in the indictment papers, which included running drug money through various banks and money wiring services in an attempt to disguise its origin. The group had also been accused of obtaining several winning [[Michigan Lottery|Michigan state lottery]] tickets from a third party, which they paid cash for, and then cashing in the tickets in an attempt to make the money appear legitimate. The indictment sought the forfeiture of "more than 30 pieces of jewelry, 13 residences, 35 vehicles including Lincoln Limousine, BMW's, Range Rovers, Aston-Martin, and Bentleys, numerous bank accounts, over $1.2 million in seized currency, and a money judgment totaling $270 million."<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/detroit061506.html |title=16 Additional People Indicted in Large Scale Drug and Money Laundering Case|publisher=United States Drug Enforcement Administration|date=June 15, 2006|access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> |
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The organization frequented many upscale [[Buckhead (Atlanta)|Buckhead]] area clubs outside Atlanta, including but not limited to Club Chaos, Velvet Room, Justin's, and Compound (where Meech had a lavish birthday party for himself, with live displays of exotic animals, costing well over $100,000.)<ref name="Daniels Trial"/> Demetrius was very fond of [[strip clubs]], and before taking the BMF entourage out to a regular club, they usually went to a strip club beforehand.<ref name="Gangland"/> |
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===2007 indictments (Atlanta)=== |
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Receipts found in a house that was allegedly one of Meech's showed cash purchases of over $23,000 in a single trip to [[Bang & Olufsen]], a high-end audio retailer located inside [[Phipps Plaza]]. When going to the club, upper-level members were seen in their own individual high-end luxury cars. In one commonly available video, it shows a [[Rolls-Royce Phantom]], [[Bentley Continental GT]], [[Lamborghini Murcielago]], and [[Aston Martin Vanquish]] all parked together and all owned by BMF members.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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[[Image:Flemingdaniels.jpg|thumb|Fleming "Ill" Daniels]] |
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On July 25, 2007, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia]] unveiled an indictment of 16 more members of the Black Mafia Family with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The indictment charged all defendants with participating in the nationwide cocaine distribution conspiracy, which carries a penalty of between 10 years and life in prison, and up to a $4 million fine. The indictments were seen as "shutting down the BMF's once-flourishing drug empire."<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan/press/2007/07-25-07.pdf|title=Sixteen Members of Black Mafia Family Charged in Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy|date=July 25, 2007|publisher=United States Attorney's Office: Northern District of Georgia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202120727/http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan/press/2007/07-25-07.pdf|archive-date=December 2, 2007}}</ref> Eventually, all defendants pleaded guilty before trial except Fleming "Ill" Daniels.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} |
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Fleming Daniels, a top member of the Black Mafia Family drug ring, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking on December 17, 2008. The federal judge also fined Daniels $10,000 for taking part in the violent group. Daniels was the 16th defendant indicted in Atlanta on charges stemming from their role in the organization and the only defendant in the Atlanta indictments to go to trial, with 11 others already having pleaded guilty.<ref name="Atlanta Sentencing"/> The government's case relied upon testimony from William "Doc" Marshall and Ralph Simms to convict Daniels. Daniels had not been caught with cocaine nor caught on wiretaps discussing drug business. The testimony from Marshall indicated that he had seen Daniels receive cocaine in the kilograms while he himself was picking up cocaine.<ref name="Atlanta Sentencing">{{cite press release|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2008/atlanta103008.html|title=Ten Black Mafia Family Defendants Sentenced|date=October 30, 2008|publisher=United States Drug Enforcement Administration|access-date=January 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509212624/http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2008/atlanta103008.html|archive-date=May 9, 2009}}</ref> Daniels also awaited trial for the July 2004 murder of Rashannibal Drummond. On February 26, 2010, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years for voluntary manslaughter. His 20-year sentence will run concurrent to another 20-year sentence stemming from his role on BMF cocaine charges. |
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In addition, when out at the clubs, Big Meech had thrown after-parties in the presidential suite of the Buckhead [[Westin]] for his crew, as well as in the presidential suites of other upscale [[Buckhead (Atlanta)|Buckhead]] area hotels. Court documents reveal one informant relaying information about Big Meech paying off all his debts one day (totaling over $5.5 million in cash) at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Atlanta.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Barimamcknight.jpg|thumb|Barima "Bleu DaVinci" McKnight]] --> |
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Barima "Bleu DaVinci" McKnight, the rapper and sole artist of BMF Entertainment, was sentenced on October 30, 2008, to five years and four months in federal prison. McKnight claimed Flenory presented himself as being involved in the music industry and it was not until much later that he let him into the cocaine side of the business.<ref name="Atlanta Sentencing"/> McKnight stated at sentencing that when he first met Demetrius Flenory, he did not show him "the other side of his world", in reference to the cocaine trafficking. McKnight was released in 2011 and returned to his music career. He and his younger brother Calico Jonez began the BMF tour. Calico Jonez, who had started Swishgang joined with McKnight to establish a BMF Swishgang. Jonez, who was known to have played a role in [[Soulja Boy]]'s label SODMG, and gang ties to Long Beach California's Rolling 20s [[Crips]] began making music under the BMF Entertainment umbrella. McKnight is also a cousin of [[Ras Kass]]. |
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Two homes searched and allegedly lived in by Big Meech were both ultra-modern homes in very upscale suburbs. His brother Terry lived in a multi-million dollar home off of [[Mulholland Drive]] in Los Angeles.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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===2009 and after=== |
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Although Terry lived with his girlfriend and children in a fixed home, Demetrius preferred to move from place to place. There were allegedly at least four Atlanta-area homes that he at one point lived in as well as a $30,000 a month rental home in [[Miami]]. When he was arrested, he claimed he lived all over with various girlfriends.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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The last remaining suspect, Vernon Marcus Coleman, was arrested on July 17, 2009, in Atlanta. He was indicted in 2007 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.<ref name="Coleman Captured">{{cite news|last=Cook |first=Rhonda |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/last-remaining-member-black-mafia-family-arrested/oey3LNWVCl8zjEcXgeyTqL/ |title=Last remaining member of Black Mafia Family arrested |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 17, 2009 |access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> With this, the number of arrested BMF members rose to about 150. The federal government believes the 150 they have indicted and arrested account for the command and control structure, as well as other key figures in the organization, such as distributors, stash house operators, and transporters.<ref name="Coleman Captured"/> |
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==Allegations of violence== |
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==Operation Motor City Mafia== |
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Prior to Operation Motor City Mafia and shortly after its commencement, there were numerous acts of violence alleged to have been committed by BMF members:<ref name="BMFBook">{{cite book|last=Shalhoup|first=Mara|title=BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family|year=2010|publisher=St. Martin's Press}}</ref> |
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[[Image:lincolnlimoBMF.jpg|thumb|Lincoln stretch limo owned by BMF]] |
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* November 11, 2003: Demetrius Flenory was arrested in connection with the [[Buckhead]]-area shooting deaths at Club Chaos of Anthony "Wolf" Jones, a former bodyguard of [[P. Diddy]], and Wolf's friend, Lamont "Riz" Girdy. However, Flenory was shot in the buttocks and claimed he was running away from gunfire as the shooting occurred; he was never indicted due to lack of witnesses and evidence.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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[[Image:trapcompartmentBMF.jpg|thumb|Hidden compartments inside limousine used to transport cocaine and money]] |
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* July 25, 2004: At a [[Midtown Atlanta]] club called the Velvet Room, a man named Rashannibal "Prince" Drummond was killed. The incident began after Flemming "Ill" Daniels nearly backed into Drummond in his [[Porsche Cayenne Turbo]]. After Drummond hit the car to alert the driver, the passengers of the car got out and began beating Drummond and his friends. During the fight, a friend of Drummond's fired a warning shot to scare everyone off; Daniels allegedly retrieved his gun, returned fire, then walked over to Drummond and executed him on the ground.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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The investigation into the Black Mafia Family began sometime in the early 1990s before there was any name to the organization which Demetrius and Terry headed. The lead-up to the October 2005 indictments began with a series of large drug seizures and subsequent [[informant]] testimonies from BMF members. On October 28, 2003, a 2-year [[Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force]] (OCDETF) investigation began, coordinated by the DEA's Special Operations Division, codenamed "Operation Motor City Mafia". |
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* September 2004: Ulysses Hackett and his girlfriend Misty Carter were executed in her [[Highland Avenue (Atlanta)|Highland Avenue]] apartment in Atlanta. Police say the murders were ordered by Tremayne "Kiki" Graham, then son-in-law of [[Shirley Franklin]], the [[Mayor of Atlanta]], and alleged associate of BMF. They claimed Ulysses was thinking of testifying against BMF and Graham, growing suspicious, ordered their murder.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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* May 10, 2005: Henry "Pookie Loc" Clark was killed by popular rapper [[Gucci Mane]] during an attempted robbery committed by Clark and four other men. The five men attacked Gucci Mane in the apartment of a [[stripper]] he met earlier that day, but Gucci Mane was armed and managed to fire at the attackers, hitting Clark. The incident occurred during a feud between Gucci Mane and rapper Young Jeezy, a BMF associate. Gucci Mane was later cleared of the murder charges due to acting in self-defense, and his lawyers alleged the five men were ordered by BMF to commit the robbery.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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* May 11, 2005: A fugitive named Deron Gatling was located by a regional drug task force in [[Chamblee, Georgia]]. Task force agents found Gatling behind insulation in the attic; at that moment shots were fired from outside the house at law enforcement. They traced the last number called in Gatling's phone to Jerry Davis, leader of BMF's supposed [[sister organization]], the Sin City Mafia. Police alleged that Gatling called Davis to report the officers at his house, and Davis ordered the shots to be fired.<ref name="BMFBook"/> Gatling died in prison in 2006. |
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* May 23, 2005: Shayne and Kelsey Brown, nephews of R&B singer [[Bobby Brown]], were stabbed in the neck with an ice pick at a birthday party at Justin's, a restaurant in Atlanta owned by P. Diddy. Witnesses claim that Marque "Baby Bleu" Dixson, the younger brother of BMF rap artist and member Bleu DaVinci, got into an altercation with the Browns alongside bodyguards of rapper Fabolous, who was there with Dixson. During the altercation, Dixson is alleged to have stabbed both in the neck, causing permanent disfigurement. Dixson was later murdered in 2006 by his girlfriend.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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==In popular culture== |
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On April 11, 2004, BMF courier and high-level distributor Jabari Hayes was pulled over in [[Phelps County, Missouri|Phelps County, MO]] along I-40 driving a 40-foot motor home; supposedly for swerving over the fog line. Two suitcases containing approximately 95 kilograms of cocaine and 572 grams of marijuana were found in the back of the motor home after a K-9 unit was alerted to drugs in the vehicle. It was one of the largest drug busts in Missouri history. Three weeks earlier Jabari was pulled over in St. Louis in a 1999 Lincoln Town Car; with $600,000 in cash in the trunk.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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Jabari Hayes, an alleged member of the BMF who allegedly served as their courier and distributor, wrote the book ''Miles in the Life'' (2009)<ref name="Miles in the Life">{{cite book|last=Hayes|first=Jabari|title=Miles in the Life|year=2009|publisher=For Life Publishing}}</ref> and is also the executive producer of a 2017 documentary by the same name. |
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''BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family'' was released in 2012. The author is Mara Shalhoup, who wrote the first in-depth report on BMF for [[Creative Loafing]] in 2006.<ref>{{Citation | vauthors=((Freeman, Scott)) | year=2007 | title=BMF: The book and the movie | url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-209778-bmf-the-book-and-the-movie | access-date=11 July 2022}} |
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</ref> |
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In 2010, American rapper [[Rick Ross]] released the song "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" with the title's acronym being in reference to the organization's name. The song's chorus also repeatedly mentions Demetrius Flenroy's alias, "Big Meech". |
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In mid-September 2004, a wiretap on a low-level crack dealer in Atlanta, Rafael "Smurf" Allison, led an [[HIDTA]] task force to a mid-level dealer named Decarlo Hoskins. Hoskins subsequently turned informant and said he grew up with 2 brothers, Omari McCree and Jeffrey Leahr, who were BMF members and able to supply multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine regularly. Wiretaps revealed that Omari McCree was a high-level distributor for the organization and was favored by Big Meech. On November 5, 2004, Jeffrey Leahr was pulled over with his girlfriend in a [[Porsche Cayenne]] Turbo SUV on I-75 in Atlanta due to the wiretaps. In the back seat was a duffle bag containing 10 kilograms of cocaine. They were released later the same day in an attempt to gather more information in regards to their supplier and the organization by use of the wiretaps. Omari and Jeffrey, then in a large amount debt to BMF for the lost kilos, went on the run. When Omari was picked up June 8, 2005, he signed a confidential-source agreement and began to describe his role in BMF. He named "Big Meech" as the source of the cocaine but indicated that he did not actually pick it up from Big Meech himself. According to Omari, Chad "J-Bo" Brown supplied him with cocaine on behalf of Big Meech. These events and a number of others formed the backbone of the government's case against the two brothers. |
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The 2012 documentary ''BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire'' explores the 14-year investigation.<ref>{{Cite web | year=2022 | title=The Story of Terry Flannery and Everything You Need to Know |last1=Garcia |first1=Brian A. |website=WZUZ News| url=https://www.wzuz.com/2022/03/07/terry-lee-flenory/ | access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref> |
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Although Omari McCree gave investigators information, he never actually testified against anyone in open court. During trial, the government's star witness was William "Doc" Marshall.<ref name="Daniels Trial">{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/22076709/Volume-1-of-trial-transcript-for-Fleming-Daniels |title=Volume 1 of trial transcript for Fleming Daniels |publisher=Scribd.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> |
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The documentary series ''[[Gangland (TV series)|Gangland]]'' covered the Black Mafia Family in its 87th episode. |
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Testimony given during various trials says the organization operated as follows: Meech's side of the organization operated 5 stash houses in the Atlanta area, nicknamed "The Gate", "The Horse Ranch", "Space Mountain", "Bugsy Siegel", and "The Elevator". Approximately every 10 days, vehicles would arrive with 100-150 kilograms packed in secret compartments. Workers at the various stash houses were paid to unload the kilograms and place them inside the stash house. Customers who ordered would call in and said they have their vehicle ready (a transportation vehicle to put the narcotics in). Depending on the size of their order, they were directed to a particular stash house where they would pull in, go inside, hand over money in $5,000 bundles. In return, they would receive kilograms in a bag of some sort, open so they could verify they received the correct number of kilos. The kilograms usually went for $20,000 each.<ref name="Daniels Trial"/> The same trap vehicles would then be filled with cash (the proceeds from drug sales) to be sent back to the Mexican sources of supply<ref>[http://atlanta.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/at121708a.htm ]{{dead link|date=January 2012}}</ref> |
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In 2021, a drama television series called ''[[BMF (TV series)|Black Mafia Family]]'' premiered on [[STARZ]], produced by [[50 Cent|Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson]]. Demetrius Flenory is played by his real-life son, [[Demetrius Flenory Jr.|Demetrius "Lil Meech" Flenory Jr.]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 30, 2021|title='BMF' star Demetrius Flenory Jr. on playing his own dad in crime drama|url=https://nypost.com/2021/09/30/bmf-star-demetrius-flenory-jr-on-how-50-cent-changed-his-life/|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Workers inside the stash houses had certain duties; for example, two people may be in charge of counting bulk amounts of cash, usually in the millions. Other people were packing the kilos for customers that were arriving as they were told. Another method the BMF organization received drugs was through large containers at the airport. They picked the containers containing 100-150 kilograms of cocaine and delivered them to the stash houses.<ref name="Daniels Trial"/> |
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==See also== |
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===Drug and cash seizures=== |
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* [[African-American organized crime]] |
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[[Image:encinomoneyseizure.jpg|right|thumb|$576,000 seized in Encino, CA]] |
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* [[Black Mafia|The Black Mafia also known as Philadelphia Black Mafia (PBM)]] |
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[[Image:encinomoneyseizure2.jpg|right|thumb|Seized in January 2005 in Encino, CA.]] |
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* [[List of criminal enterprises, gangs, and syndicates]] |
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==References== |
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In addition to the aforementioned drug and cash seizures, the following is a list of seizures allegedly tied to the Black Mafia Family as a whole, as described in the original indictment.<ref name="Detroit Indictment"/> |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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*On or about October 4, 1996 in the Eastern District of Michigan, agents from the U.S. Customs Service (now known as [[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]], ICE), working undercover, received approximately $300,000 in cash intended for payment for cocaine from the organization. |
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*{{cite book | vauthors=((Shalhoup, Mara)) |date=2 March 2010 |title=BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-38393-0}} |
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*{{cite interview|url=http://www.thesource.com/2009/02/hustlaz-ambition-bmfs-big-meech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522064621/http://www.thesource.com/2009/02/hustlaz-ambition-bmfs-big-meech |archive-date=2009-05-22 |title=Hustlaz Ambition: BMF's Big Meech|date=February 24, 2009|magazine=The Source|author=Big Meech|interviewer=Aimstar}} |
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<!-- not appropriately placed, should be cited inline |
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*[http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/05/young_jeezy_big_meech_the_blac.php "Young Jeezy, Big Meech, the Black Family Mafia, and a Hundred Thousand Kilos of Coke"], May 6, 2010, ''[[Miami New Times]]'' |
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*[http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/06/the-black-mafia-family-movie-is-coming-soon "The "Black Mafia Family" Movie Is Coming To A Theater Near You!"], June 24, 2011, ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' |
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--> |
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==External links== |
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*On or about October 29, 1996, U.S. Customs agents in an undercover capacity seized $250,000 in cash also intended for cocaine payment. |
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*[https://archive.org/details/BlackMafiaFamily FBI file on the Black Mafia Family] at the [[Internet Archive]] |
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*{{IMDb title|qid=Q123517622|title=BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire}} |
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*{{IMDb title|qid=Q123517623|title=Miles in the Life}} |
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{{Organized crime groups in the United States}} |
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*On or about October 3, 1997, police in Spalding County, Georgia seized $143,221 in cash from Martez Jackson, an alleged BMF member. |
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{{Organized crime in Detroit}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Gangs in Detroit]] |
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*On or about May 10, 1999 in Polk County, Texas, police seized approximately 18 kilograms of [[cocaine]]. |
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[[Category:African-American organized crime groups]] |
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*On or about September 14, 1999, police in Beaumont, Texas seized $425,190 in cash from Bruce Martin. |
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*On or about December 2, 2000 in or near Flagstaff, Arizona, police seized approximately 17 kilograms of cocaine. |
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*On or about February 5, 2001 in Kansas City, Missouri, police seized approximately 9 kilograms of cocaine. |
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*On or about September 15, 2002 in Collin County, Texas, police seized approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine. |
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*On or about February 26, 2003, police in Gray County, Texas seized approximately $723,790 in cash from Brian Ronell Garrett and Kim Vernell Williams. |
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*On or about March 20, 2003, Cleveland Cato purchased a cashier's check with cash in the amount of $4,800. |
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*On or about August 14, 2003 in Crawford County, Arkansas, police seized approximately 27 kilograms of cocaine. |
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*On or about March 16, 2004, police in Fenton, Missouri seized $588,605 in cash from Jabari Hayes. |
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*On or about April 5, 2004 in Florissant, Missouri, police seized approximately 9 kilograms of cocaine. |
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*On or about April 11, 2004 in St. Louis, Missorui, police seized approximately 113.5 kilograms of cocaine. |
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*On or about July 28, 2004, police in Atlanta, Georgia seized $199,690 from Martez Jackson |
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*On or about January 2005, police in Encino, CA seized $576,000. |
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*On or about January 11, 2005, police in Sherman Oaks, California seized $576,000 in cash from Tonesa Lynette Welch, Terry Flenory's girlfriend. |
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*On or about January 27, 2005, police in Detroit, Michigan seized $648,550 in cash from Stanley Leon Lackey, Jr. and Derrick Keith Peguese, Jr. |
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*On or about April 5, 2005, police in Romulus, Michigan seized $580,250 in cash from Stanley Lackey, Jr. |
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*On or about June 16, 2005 in Woodland Hills, California, police seized approximately 250 kilograms of cocaine; police also seized $1,868,759 in cash from the residence during the raid. |
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During testimony, one DEA agent testified that just one seizure from the BMF organization was enough to put most mid-level wholesalers out of business. The fact so many large seizures occurred and the organization was still thriving is a testament to their wealth and power. |
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===Allegations of Violence=== |
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Prior to "Operation Motor City Mafia" and shortly after its commencement, there were numerous acts of violence alleged to have been committed by BMF members. |
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*On November 11, 2003, Meech was arrested in connection with the Buckhead-area shooting deaths at club "Chaos" of Anthony "Wolf" Jones, former bodyguard of [[P. Diddy]], and Wolf's childhood friend, Lamont "Riz" Girdy. However, Meech was also wounded in the shooting and was subsequently never indicted.<ref name="BMFBook">{{cite book|last=Shalhoup|first=Mara|title=BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family|year=2010|publisher=St. Martin's Press}}</ref> |
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*On July 25, 2004, at a midtown Atlanta club called the "Velvet Room", a man named Rashannibal "Prince" Drummond was killed. The incident began after alleged 3rd-in-command of BMF, Flemming "Ill" Daniels, nearly backed into Drummond in his Porsche Cayenne Turbo. After Drummond hit the car to alert the driver, the passengers of the car got out and began beating Drummond and his friends. During the fight, a friend of Drummond's fired a warning shot to scare everyone off; it is alleged Ill retrieved his gun, returned fire, then walked over to Drummond and executed him on the ground.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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*In September 2004, Ulysses Hackett and girlfriend Misty Carter were executed in their Highland Avenue apartment in [[Atlanta]]. Police claim the murders were ordered by Tremayne "Kiki" Graham, then son-in-law of Atlanta Mayor [[Shirley Franklin]] and alleged associate of BMF. They claim Ulysses was thinking of turning states witness and Graham grew suspicious and ordered their murder.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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*On May 10, 2005, Henry "Pookie Loc" Clark was killed by rapper [[Gucci Mane]] after an attempted robbery of the rapper by Clark and 4 other men. The five men attacked Gucci Mane in the apartment of a stripper he met earlier that day, but Gucci Mane was armed and managed to fire at the attackers—hitting Clark. The incident occurred in between a "beef" between Gucci Mane and rapper [[Young Jeezy]], a good friend of Meech's. Gucci was later cleared of the murder charges due to acting in self-defense, but Gucci's lawyers alleged the 5 men were ordered by BMF to commit the robbery.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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*On May 11, 2005, a fugitive named Deron Gatling was located by a regional drug task force in [[Chamblee, Georgia]]. Task force agents found Gatling behind insulation in the attic; at that moment shots were fired from outside the house at law enforcement. They traced the last number called in Gatling's phone to Jerry Davis, leader of BMF's supposed sister organization Sin City Mafia. Police allege Gatling called Davis to report the officers at his house, and Davis ordered the shots to be fired.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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*On May 23, 2005, Shane and Kelsey Brown, nephews of famous R&B singer [[Bobby Brown]], were stabbed in the neck with an ice pick at a birthday party at "Justin's", P. Diddy's Atlanta restaurant. Witnesses claim that Marques "Baby Bleu" Dixson, younger brother of BMF Entertainment artist Bleu DaVinci, got into an altercation with the Brown's alongside bodyguards of rapper [[Fabolous]], who was there with Dixson. During the altercation, Dixson is alleged to have stabbed both in the neck, causing permanent disfiguration.<ref name="BMFBook"/> |
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==Informants== |
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Bringing "Big Meech", his brother "Southwest T", and other BMF members to trial and ultimately a conviction was based solely upon informant testimony from former BMF members. There were no drugs seized from any of the defendants in the case besides personal use amounts; the personal use amounts were not considered in the charges. Below is a list of some of those informants. This list is not complete, there are others who also provided testimony not listed here (such as those listed in the above "Investigation" section.) Informants in BMF-related cases in Los Angeles, St. Louis, and other jurisdictions are also listed here as they are considered part of the overall conspiracy. |
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[[Image:Williammarshall.jpg|right|100px|thumb|William Marshall]] |
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===William 'Doc' Marshall=== |
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The government's "star" witness during trials in Orlando, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Former Chief Financial Officer of BMF, Marshall was the person who acquired vehicles, houses, and other property for the entire organization. He also admitted to personally distributing more than 1700 kilos while a member of BMF. Because of his testimony's importance to the case, he was able to avoid drug charges and plead guilty to money laundering, resulting in a sentence just over 8.5 years.<ref name="Daniels Trial"/><ref name="PACER">{{cite web|url=http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/ |title=Public Access to Court Electronic Records |publisher=Pacer.psc.uscourts.gov |date= |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Danielcorral.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Daniel Corral]] |
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===Daniel Corral=== |
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Arrested as part of a related BMF case out of Los Angeles. Corral was once a supplier of 400-500 kilogram cocaine loads to Demetrius Flenory. He also testified against other suppliers he had and is now testifying against other defendants in Los Angeles, including his wife and former supplier, Yvonne Vasquez. He named other defendants as suppliers "Chi Chi" and "Wilbur", however their first names and last names are unknown.<ref name="PACER"/><ref name="LA Testimony">{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/22076904/Ralph-Simms-Testimonyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/22076904/Ralph-Simms-Testimony |title=Ralph Simms Testimony |publisher=Scribd.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref><ref name="USDOJ Release">[http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/la112807.htmlhttp://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/la112807.html ]{{dead link|date=January 2012}}</ref><ref name="LA Testimony2">{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/22473927/Ralph-Simms-Testimony-Part-2 |title=Ralph Simms Testimony Part 2 |publisher=Scribd.com |date=2008-11-25 |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> |
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===Ralph Simms=== |
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Testified in the trials in Atlanta and Los Angeles. He testified that he unloaded vehicles with cocaine in them that arrived in Atlanta, then subsequently loaded them with cash once the drugs were sold for the cash to be delivered back to Los Angeles.<ref name="PACER"/><ref name="LA Testimony"/><ref name="LA Testimony2"/> |
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[[Image:Haroldwilcox.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Harold Wilcox]] |
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===Harold Wilcox=== |
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Provided information against Terry "Southwest T" Flenory. He pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking and money laundering charges.<ref name="PACER"/> |
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===Benjamin Johnson=== |
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Friend of the Flenory brother's during their high school years. He claims that he used to pick up kilograms of cocaine from a hole above the linen closet in the Flenory household. He has been charged with cocaine distribution and has not yet had an outcome in his case. He was of the first informants to come forward. He ran the Detroit operations on behalf of Terry Flenory.<ref name="PACER"/> |
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[[Image:Charlesparson.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Charles Parson]] |
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===Charles Parson=== |
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Also provided information against "Southwest T". Pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking and money laundering charges, faces up to 87 months in federal prison.<ref name="PACER"/> |
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[[Image:Ericbivens.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Eric Bivens]] |
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===Eric Bivens=== |
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Provided information against "Southwest T". Pleaded guilty no outcome in case yet.<ref name="PACER"/> |
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===Marc Whaley=== |
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Allegedly helped BMF members obtain high-end luxury automobiles in Orlando, FL. Sentenced to 2½ years for money laundering. Whaley claims his life was threatened after giving testimony to the federal government.<ref name="PACER"/> |
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===Arnold Boyd=== |
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Cooperating against "Southwest T". Pleaded guilty to cocaine and money laundering charges and faces up to 17 years in federal prison.<ref name="PACER"/> |
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===Damon Thomas=== |
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Grammy-nominated music producer and cooperating witness against "Southwest T".<ref name="PACER"/> |
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Damon Thomas was reality star Kim Kardashian's first husband. |
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==2005 Raids and Arrests== |
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In October 2005, it was reported that some 30 members of BMF were arrested in a massive drug raid orchestrated by the DEA. During these raids, the DEA seized $3 million in cash and assets, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, and numerous weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr102805.html |title=News from DEA, News Releases, 10/28/05 |publisher=Usdoj.gov |date= |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> Prior to the October 2005 raids, throughout the course of the investigation, the DEA had arrested 17 BMF members, seized 632 kilograms of cocaine, $5.3 million in cash, and $5.7 million in assets. They claimed BMF was responsible for moving over 2,500 kilograms of cocaine a month throughout the United States. |
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Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory, as well as his brother Terry "Southwest T" Flenory, were charged with [[Continuing Criminal Enterprise]], conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Demetrius was captured in a large home in a suburb outside [[Dallas]]. Inside, police found a small amount of [[marijuana]] and a few [[MDMA]], or ecstasy, pills. In a safe inside the house were several weapons; a Springfield .40 pistol, FN Herstal 5.7x28 pistol, and a Para Ordinance .45 pistol. Outside and in the garage were a 2005 [[Bentley]] Continental GT, a 2004 Ford F-150 truck, and a 2004 Dodge Magnum station wagon. |
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His brother, Terry "Southwest T" Flenory, was captured in [[St. Louis]] with small amounts of marijuana and a with a few weapons found throughout the house, which was also occupied by multiple people at the time of the arrest. |
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==2006 Indictments== |
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On June 15, 2006, the [[U.S. Department of Treasury]] reported that 16 additional individuals had been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering charges under a second, superseding indictment, bringing the number of people charged in the case to 49. Included in this list was Jacob Arabov, popularly known as [[Jacob the Jeweler]], a well-known celebrity jeweler in the hip-hop community. Mr. Arabov and the others named in the indictment are being charged with conspiracy to launder more than $270 million in illegally obtained funds. A November 2006 article in [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] details Mr. Arabov's entanglements with the group and also reiterates public information that has surfaced regarding the case against BMF.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sales |first=Nancy Jo |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2006/11/jacob200611?currentPage=1 |title=Is Hip-Hop's Jeweler on the Rocks? | Culture |publisher=Vanity Fair |date= |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> The [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] also shed light on more of the group's alleged activities in the indictment papers, which included running drug money through various banks, and money wiring services in an attempt to disguise its origin. The group has also been accused of obtaining several winning [[Michigan Lottery|Michigan state lottery]] tickets from a third party, which they paid cash for, and then cashing in the tickets in an attempt to make the money appear legitimate. This indictment also seeks the forfeiture of "more than 30 pieces of jewelry, 13 residences, 35 vehicles including Lincoln Limousine, BMW's, Range Rovers, Aston-Martin, and Bentleys, numerous bank accounts, over $1.2 million in seized currency, and a money judgment totaling $270 million."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/detroit061506.html |title=News from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, Detroit News Releases, 06/15/06 |publisher=Usdoj.gov |date=2006-05-10 |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> |
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==2007 Indictments== |
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On July 25, 2007, [[David Nahmias]], the [[U.S. Attorney]] for the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia]] unveiled an indictment of 16 more members of the Black Mafia Family.<ref>http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan/press/2007/07-25-07.pdf</ref> "The government is one step closer to eradicating one of today's most violent and notorious drug trafficking organizations", said Special Agent in Charge Rodney G. Benson of the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] Atlanta office. The indictment charged all defendants with participating in the nationwide [[cocaine]] distribution conspiracy, which carries a penalty of between 10 years and life in prison, and up to a $4 million fine. Black Mafia Family once had [[billboards]] towering over Atlanta boldly proclaiming that the world was theirs", Mr. Nahmias said. "This indictment is a rejection of that claim. First in Detroit and Orlando, and now here, the government is shutting down the BMF's once-flourishing drug empire." |
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==Atlanta BMF Indictments== |
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On July 26, 2007 the government unsealed indictments charging 16 BMF members in Atlanta with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Those arrested were: Dionne Beverly, 35, of Hurricane, West Virginia; Ramon Dobson, 27, of Lithonia; Lamar Fields, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia; Victor Hammonds, 42, of Conyers, Georgia; Jamal Mitchell, 38, of East Orange, New Jersey; Franklin Nash, 56, of Decatur, Georgia; and Darryl Taylor, 46, of Stockbridge, Georgia. Already in custody in other jurisdictions were co-defendants Fleming Daniels, 34, of Roswell, Georgia, and Derek Pitts, 33, of Newark, New Jersey. |
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All 16 defendants were charged with participating in the overall cocaine distribution conspiracy. The conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison as well as a $4,000,000 fine. Eventually, all defendants plead guilty before trial except Fleming Daniels, who chose to take his case to a jury. |
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[[Image:Flemingdaniels.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Fleming "Ill" Daniels]] |
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===Fleming Daniels=== |
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Fleming "Ill" Daniels, a top member of the Black Mafia Family drug ring, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking on December 17, 2008. The federal judge also fined Daniels $10,000 for taking part in the violent group. Daniels was the 16th defendant indicted in Atlanta on charges stemming from their role in the organization. Daniels is the only defendant in the Atlanta indictments to go to trial, and 11 have already pleaded guilty. The government's case relied on testimony from William "Doc" Marshall and Ralph Simms to convict Daniels. Daniels had not been caught with cocaine nor caught on wiretaps discussing drug business. However, due to the testimony from Marshall indicating that he had seen Daniels receive multi-kilograms of cocaine while he himself was picking up cocaine, the jury returned a guilty verdict.<ref name="Atlanta Sentencing">{{cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2008/atlanta103008.html |title=News from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, Atlanta News Releases, 10/30/08 |publisher=Usdoj.gov |date= |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> |
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Daniels also awaits trial for the July 2004 murder of Rashannibal Drummond Drummond, 23, who was fatally shot in the Velvet Room's parking lot after he slapped a luxury car to alert the driver not to back into him. |
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In February 26, 2010 he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years for voluntary manslaughter. His 20-year sentence will run concurrent to another 20-year sentence stemming for his role on BMF cocaine charges. |
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[[Image:Barimamcknight.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Barima "Bleu DaVinci" McKnight]] |
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===Barima "Bleu DaVinci" McKnight=== |
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Rapper and sole artist of BMF Entertainment, Barima "Bleu DaVinci" McKnight, was sentenced October 30, 2008 to 5 years, 4 months in federal prison. It was said that McKnight was used because he had very small hands and could get that last kilogram or two of cocaine out of a stash spot where others could not. McKnight said at sentencing that when he first met Demetrius "Meech" Flenory that Meech did not show him "the other side of his world", in reference to the cocaine business. He said Meech presented himself as being involved with music and it was not until much later that Meech let him into the cocaine side of the business.<ref name="Atlanta Sentencing"/> He was released in 2011 and returned to his music career, recording many tracks and shooting a bunch of videos. Also in 2011 he formed his label "Swish Gang" signing artists like Calico Jonez, who's at the same time signed on [[Soulja Boy]]'s label SODMG, Tabius Tate and some other unknown artists, between them an [[R&B]] artist. |
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==2009 Arrest== |
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The last remaining suspect, Vernon Marcus Coleman a rapper who goes by the name WU, was arrested on July 17, 2009 in Atlanta. He was indicted in 2007 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. To date all 150 [[indictment|indicted]] members of BMF have been arrested. However, the total number of BMF members exceeds well over 150; the federal government believes the 150 they have indicted and arrested account for the command and control structure as well as other key figures in the organization (distributors, stash house operators, transporters, etc.).<ref name="Coleman Captured">{{cite web|last=Cook |first=Rhonda |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/last-remaining-membe-94271.html |title=Last remaining member of Black Mafia Family arrested |publisher=ajc.com |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2012-01-08}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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[http://305hiphop.com/miami-rap-music/rick-ross-feat-styles-p-bmf-blowing-money-fast Rick Ross says he feels like "Big Meech" in his song "BMF".] |
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==See also== |
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*[[African-American organized crime|African-American Organized Crime]] |
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*[[Continuing Criminal Enterprise]] |
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*[[Black Mafia|Philadelphia Black Mafia]] |
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*[[Young Jeezy]] |
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*[[Gucci Mane]] |
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[[Category:Gangs in Detroit, Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Crips]] |
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[[Category:African-American organized crime]] |
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[[Category:Gangs in Georgia (U.S. state)]] |
[[Category:Gangs in Georgia (U.S. state)]] |
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[[Category:Gangs in Los Angeles |
[[Category:Gangs in Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:Crips sets]] |
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[[Category:Gangs in St. Louis, Missouri]] |
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[[it:Black Mafia Family]] |
Latest revision as of 10:14, 22 December 2024
Founded | Late 1985; "BMF" acronym started to be used around 2000 |
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Founding location | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
Years active | 1985–present[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
Territory | States: Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio |
Membership | Over 500[7] |
Activities | Drug trafficking, money laundering |
Allies | Folk Nation (Gangster Disciples, Black Disciples, Black Gangsters, Insane Spanish Cobras, Maniac Latin Disciples, Imperial Gangsters, Gangster Sin City Boys, Simon City Royals, etc), Crips, Zoe Pound, etc. |
Rivals | People Nation (Cash Flow Posse, Latin Counts, Out Cold Gangsters, Vice Lords, Almighty Gaylords, Latin Kings, etc) Bloods, Aryan Brotherhood and other white supremacist gangs, etc. |
The Black Mafia Family (BMF) is a drug trafficking and money laundering organization in the United States. It was founded in 1985, in Southwest Detroit by brothers Demetrius Edward "Big Meech" Flenory and Terry Lee "Southwest Tee" Flenory. By 2000 it had established cocaine distribution sales throughout the United States through its Los Angeles-based drug source and direct links to Mexican drug cartels.[8][9] The Black Mafia Family operated from two main hubs: one in Atlanta for distribution run by Demetrius Flenory and one in Los Angeles to handle incoming shipments from Mexico run by Terry Flenory.[10]
The Black Mafia Family under Demetrius Flenory entered the hip-hop music business as BMF Entertainment in the early 2000s as a front organization to launder money from cocaine sales and to legitimize itself. BMF Entertainment served as a promoter for several high-profile hip-hop artists, and as a record label for their sole artist Bleu DaVinci. Demetrius Flenory and the Black Mafia Family became famous in hip-hop culture for their highly extravagant lifestyles.
In 2005, the DEA indicted members of the Black Mafia Family, ultimately securing convictions by targeting the Flenory brothers under the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute, and both were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. Prosecutors alleged the Black Mafia Family made over $270 million in the course of their operations.[7]
Flenory brothers
[edit]Demetrius Edward "Big Meech" Flenory Sr. (born June 21, 1968, in Detroit, Michigan) and his brother Terry Lee "Southwest Tee" Flenory (born January 10, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan) began selling $50 bags of cocaine on the streets of Detroit during their high school years in the late 1980s.[11][12] Hence their original group was known as "50 Boyz". By 2000, the Flenory brothers had established a large organization overseeing multi-kilogram cocaine distribution sales in numerous U.S. states including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee.[13] A two-year federal investigation of the Flenory organization estimated its nationwide membership at over 500.
Around 2003, the organization experienced a schism when the Flenory brothers began to feud, with Terry Flenory moving to Los Angeles to head his own organization, while Demetrius Flenory remained at the main distribution center in Atlanta. By 2003, the two had been involved in a major falling out and rarely spoke to one another.[13] In a conversation with his brothers caught by the DEA on wiretap, Terry discussed his worries that his brother Demetrius was bringing the wrong type of attention to their business with his excessive partying. By the time charges were filed against the Flenorys, the government had 900 pages of typed transcripts of wiretapped conversations from Terry's phone in a five-month period.[13]
In November 2007, the brothers pleaded guilty to running a continuing criminal enterprise.[14] In September 2008, both brothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison for running a nationwide cocaine-trafficking ring, which lasted from 2000 to 2005.[15] Demetrius Flenory served out his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution, Sheridan and was released on October 16, 2024.[16] Terry Flenory was released to home confinement on May 5, 2020, after being granted a compassionate release due to health ailments and an effort from the Federal Bureau of Prisons to release certain inmates in order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic within federal prisons. Demetrius Flenory also sought his release under the same guidelines; however, a federal judge rejected the move, claiming it would be premature to authorize his release as his prison record suggests he has not changed and continues to promote himself as a drug kingpin, further stating his disciplinary record includes violations such as possession of a cell phone and weapons as well as drug use.[17]
BMF Entertainment
[edit]In the late 2000s, Demetrius Flenory established BMF Entertainment as a promotion agency and record label for hip-hop music. The Flenory brothers were already known to associate with numerous high-profile hip-hop artists including Sean Combs, Trina, T.I., Jay-Z, Young Jeezy and Fabolous. Demetrius founded BMF Entertainment as a front organization for money laundering the cash generated by the cocaine distribution network but was also an attempt to create a legitimate business and legal source of income. Around this time, the Flenory organization formally adopted the name "Black Mafia Family" after previously being unnamed.[citation needed]
In 2005, Bleu Da Vinci's album, World Is BMF's, was nominated for a Source Award. BMF appeared in numerous underground hip-hop DVD magazines, most notably several issues of S.M.A.C.K. and The Come Up. The organization's most highly visible appearance was in a full-length DVD produced by The Raw Report, which gave a detailed inside look at their movement. The DVD was featured in Vibe's cover article on BMF in May 2006. It received wide acclaim from DJs for the Soundsmith Productions produced song "Streets on Lock",[18] headed by BMF affiliate Bleu Davinci and featuring Fabolous and Young Jeezy. A music video[19] was later produced for the single, though it was never released to networks.
Creative Loafing senior editor Mara Shalhoup wrote a three-part series about the Black Mafia Family entitled Hip-Hop's Shadowy Empire,[20] which was the first in-depth report on the organization. Shalhoup's book on the organization, BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family, was published in March 2005.[citation needed]
Investigation
[edit]Operation Motor City Mafia
[edit]Police investigation into the Black Mafia began sometime in the early 1990s, before the organization operated by Demetrius and Terry Flenory was named or reached peak distribution. The lead-up to the October 2005 indictments began with a series of large drug seizures and subsequent informant testimonies from BMF members. On October 28, 2003, a two-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation began, coordinated by the DEA's Special Operations Division and codenamed "Operation Motor City Mafia".
On April 11, 2004, BMF courier and high-level distributor Jabari Hayes was pulled over in Phelps County, Missouri along I-44 driving a 40-foot motor home,[clarification needed] supposedly for swerving over the fog line. Two suitcases containing approximately 95 kilograms of cocaine and 572 grams of marijuana were found in the back of the Range Rover after a K-9 unit alerted to drugs in the vehicle.[13]
In mid-September 2004, a wiretap on Rafael "Smurf" Allison, a low-level crack dealer in Atlanta, led an HIDTA task force to Decarlo Hoskins, a mid-level dealer. Hoskins informed them that he had grown up with two brothers, Omari McCree and Jeffrey Leahr, who were BMF members and able to supply multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine regularly. Wiretaps revealed that Omari McCree was a high-level distributor for the Flenory organization and was favored by Demetrius.
On November 5, 2004, Jeffrey Leahr was pulled over with his girlfriend on I-75 in Atlanta due to the wiretaps. In the back seat was a duffel bag containing 10 kilograms of cocaine. They were released later that day in an attempt by HIDTA to gather more information in regards to their supplier and the organization using wiretaps. McCree and Leahr, facing a large debt to BMF for the lost cocaine, went on the run. When picked up on June 8, 2005, Unknown signed a confidential-source agreement and described his role in BMF, naming Demetrius Flenory as the source of the cocaine. Chad "J-Bo" Brown, supplied him with cocaine on behalf of Demetrius. These events and a number of others formed the backbone of the government's case. During trial, the government's star witness was William "Doc" Marshall.[13]
Testimony given during various trials indicated the Flenory organization operated as follows: BMF operated five stash houses in the Atlanta area. Approximately every 10 days, vehicles would arrive with 100–150 kilograms of cocaine packed in secret compartments. Workers at the stash houses were paid to unload the drugs and store them.[21] Customers who ordered would call in and say they had their vehicle ready – meaning a transportation vehicle to put the narcotics in. Depending on the size of their order, they were directed to a particular stash house where they would pull in, go inside, and hand over money in $5,000 bundles. The cocaine was usually sold at $20,000 per kilogram.[21] The same vehicles would then be filled with cash (the proceeds from drug sales) to be sent back to the Mexican sources of supply.[22] Workers inside the stash houses had certain duties, such as counting bulk amounts of cash, usually in the millions. Other people were packaging the cocaine for customers. BMF also received drugs through large containers at the airport containing 100–150 kilograms of cocaine, which they picked up and delivered to stash houses.[21]
2005 raids and arrests
[edit]In October 2005, some 30 members of BMF were arrested in a massive drug raid orchestrated by the DEA. During these raids, the DEA seized $3 million in cash and assets, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, and numerous weapons.[23] Prior to the October 2005 raids, the DEA had arrested 17 BMF members, seized 632 kilograms of cocaine, $5.3 million in cash, and $5.7 million in assets. They claimed BMF was responsible for moving over 2,500 kilograms of cocaine a month throughout the United States.
Demetrius Flenory and Terry Flenory were charged under the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute, conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Demetrius was captured in a large home in a suburb outside Dallas. Inside, police found a small amount of marijuana and a few MDMA pills. In a safe inside the house were several weapons, as well as multiple vehicles at the home. Terry was captured in St. Louis with small amounts of marijuana and weapons found throughout the house, which was also occupied by multiple people at the time of the arrest.
2006 indictments
[edit]On June 15, 2006, the U.S. Department of Treasury reported that 16 additional individuals had been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering charges under a second, superseding indictment, bringing the number of people charged in the case to 49. The list of accused included Jacob Arabo, popularly known as Jacob the Jeweler, a well-known celebrity jeweler in the hip-hop community. Arabo was charged with conspiracy to launder more than $270 million in illegally obtained funds.[24]
The Department of Justice also shed light on more of the group's alleged activities in the indictment papers, which included running drug money through various banks and money wiring services in an attempt to disguise its origin. The group had also been accused of obtaining several winning Michigan state lottery tickets from a third party, which they paid cash for, and then cashing in the tickets in an attempt to make the money appear legitimate. The indictment sought the forfeiture of "more than 30 pieces of jewelry, 13 residences, 35 vehicles including Lincoln Limousine, BMW's, Range Rovers, Aston-Martin, and Bentleys, numerous bank accounts, over $1.2 million in seized currency, and a money judgment totaling $270 million."[25]
2007 indictments (Atlanta)
[edit]On July 25, 2007, United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia unveiled an indictment of 16 more members of the Black Mafia Family with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The indictment charged all defendants with participating in the nationwide cocaine distribution conspiracy, which carries a penalty of between 10 years and life in prison, and up to a $4 million fine. The indictments were seen as "shutting down the BMF's once-flourishing drug empire."[26] Eventually, all defendants pleaded guilty before trial except Fleming "Ill" Daniels.[citation needed]
Fleming Daniels, a top member of the Black Mafia Family drug ring, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking on December 17, 2008. The federal judge also fined Daniels $10,000 for taking part in the violent group. Daniels was the 16th defendant indicted in Atlanta on charges stemming from their role in the organization and the only defendant in the Atlanta indictments to go to trial, with 11 others already having pleaded guilty.[27] The government's case relied upon testimony from William "Doc" Marshall and Ralph Simms to convict Daniels. Daniels had not been caught with cocaine nor caught on wiretaps discussing drug business. The testimony from Marshall indicated that he had seen Daniels receive cocaine in the kilograms while he himself was picking up cocaine.[27] Daniels also awaited trial for the July 2004 murder of Rashannibal Drummond. On February 26, 2010, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years for voluntary manslaughter. His 20-year sentence will run concurrent to another 20-year sentence stemming from his role on BMF cocaine charges.
Barima "Bleu DaVinci" McKnight, the rapper and sole artist of BMF Entertainment, was sentenced on October 30, 2008, to five years and four months in federal prison. McKnight claimed Flenory presented himself as being involved in the music industry and it was not until much later that he let him into the cocaine side of the business.[27] McKnight stated at sentencing that when he first met Demetrius Flenory, he did not show him "the other side of his world", in reference to the cocaine trafficking. McKnight was released in 2011 and returned to his music career. He and his younger brother Calico Jonez began the BMF tour. Calico Jonez, who had started Swishgang joined with McKnight to establish a BMF Swishgang. Jonez, who was known to have played a role in Soulja Boy's label SODMG, and gang ties to Long Beach California's Rolling 20s Crips began making music under the BMF Entertainment umbrella. McKnight is also a cousin of Ras Kass.
2009 and after
[edit]The last remaining suspect, Vernon Marcus Coleman, was arrested on July 17, 2009, in Atlanta. He was indicted in 2007 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.[28] With this, the number of arrested BMF members rose to about 150. The federal government believes the 150 they have indicted and arrested account for the command and control structure, as well as other key figures in the organization, such as distributors, stash house operators, and transporters.[28]
Allegations of violence
[edit]Prior to Operation Motor City Mafia and shortly after its commencement, there were numerous acts of violence alleged to have been committed by BMF members:[21]
- November 11, 2003: Demetrius Flenory was arrested in connection with the Buckhead-area shooting deaths at Club Chaos of Anthony "Wolf" Jones, a former bodyguard of P. Diddy, and Wolf's friend, Lamont "Riz" Girdy. However, Flenory was shot in the buttocks and claimed he was running away from gunfire as the shooting occurred; he was never indicted due to lack of witnesses and evidence.[21]
- July 25, 2004: At a Midtown Atlanta club called the Velvet Room, a man named Rashannibal "Prince" Drummond was killed. The incident began after Flemming "Ill" Daniels nearly backed into Drummond in his Porsche Cayenne Turbo. After Drummond hit the car to alert the driver, the passengers of the car got out and began beating Drummond and his friends. During the fight, a friend of Drummond's fired a warning shot to scare everyone off; Daniels allegedly retrieved his gun, returned fire, then walked over to Drummond and executed him on the ground.[21]
- September 2004: Ulysses Hackett and his girlfriend Misty Carter were executed in her Highland Avenue apartment in Atlanta. Police say the murders were ordered by Tremayne "Kiki" Graham, then son-in-law of Shirley Franklin, the Mayor of Atlanta, and alleged associate of BMF. They claimed Ulysses was thinking of testifying against BMF and Graham, growing suspicious, ordered their murder.[21]
- May 10, 2005: Henry "Pookie Loc" Clark was killed by popular rapper Gucci Mane during an attempted robbery committed by Clark and four other men. The five men attacked Gucci Mane in the apartment of a stripper he met earlier that day, but Gucci Mane was armed and managed to fire at the attackers, hitting Clark. The incident occurred during a feud between Gucci Mane and rapper Young Jeezy, a BMF associate. Gucci Mane was later cleared of the murder charges due to acting in self-defense, and his lawyers alleged the five men were ordered by BMF to commit the robbery.[21]
- May 11, 2005: A fugitive named Deron Gatling was located by a regional drug task force in Chamblee, Georgia. Task force agents found Gatling behind insulation in the attic; at that moment shots were fired from outside the house at law enforcement. They traced the last number called in Gatling's phone to Jerry Davis, leader of BMF's supposed sister organization, the Sin City Mafia. Police alleged that Gatling called Davis to report the officers at his house, and Davis ordered the shots to be fired.[21] Gatling died in prison in 2006.
- May 23, 2005: Shayne and Kelsey Brown, nephews of R&B singer Bobby Brown, were stabbed in the neck with an ice pick at a birthday party at Justin's, a restaurant in Atlanta owned by P. Diddy. Witnesses claim that Marque "Baby Bleu" Dixson, the younger brother of BMF rap artist and member Bleu DaVinci, got into an altercation with the Browns alongside bodyguards of rapper Fabolous, who was there with Dixson. During the altercation, Dixson is alleged to have stabbed both in the neck, causing permanent disfigurement. Dixson was later murdered in 2006 by his girlfriend.[21]
In popular culture
[edit]Jabari Hayes, an alleged member of the BMF who allegedly served as their courier and distributor, wrote the book Miles in the Life (2009)[29] and is also the executive producer of a 2017 documentary by the same name. BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family was released in 2012. The author is Mara Shalhoup, who wrote the first in-depth report on BMF for Creative Loafing in 2006.[30]
In 2010, American rapper Rick Ross released the song "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" with the title's acronym being in reference to the organization's name. The song's chorus also repeatedly mentions Demetrius Flenroy's alias, "Big Meech".
The 2012 documentary BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire explores the 14-year investigation.[31]
The documentary series Gangland covered the Black Mafia Family in its 87th episode.
In 2021, a drama television series called Black Mafia Family premiered on STARZ, produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Demetrius Flenory is played by his real-life son, Demetrius "Lil Meech" Flenory Jr..[32]
See also
[edit]- African-American organized crime
- The Black Mafia also known as Philadelphia Black Mafia (PBM)
- List of criminal enterprises, gangs, and syndicates
References
[edit]- ^ "DEA Deals Motor City Mafia a Knock-out Blow". Drug Enforcement Administration. October 28, 2005. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ "23 gang members arrested in crackdown". Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "Eastern District of Missouri | More than Two Dozen Arrested in Roundup of Members and Associates of the Black Mafia Family | United States Department of Justice". October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Is BMF Bouncing Back? Recent Slaying in Gang's Hometown of Detroit Has Street Talking of Syndicate's Renewed Presence". January 7, 2017.
- ^ "Eastern District of Missouri | Drug Ring Leader Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Drugs and Murders | United States Department of Justice". May 24, 2019.
- ^ "Member Of "Black Mafia Family" Sentenced To 30 Years For Conspiracy To Possess And Distribute Coca". www.justice.gov (Press release). October 26, 2011 – via USDOJ: US Attorney's Office - Western District of Kentucky.
- ^ a b Snell, Robert. "Black Mafia Family leader 'Big Meech' gets prison break in Detroit drug case". The Detroit News.
- ^ "Black Mafia Family Members Sentenced to 30 Years" (Press release). US Drug Enforcement Administration. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ United States v. Smith, April 7, 2010, Law.com
- ^ "Black Mafia Family Members Sentenced to 30 Years" Archived September 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, September 12, 2008, Drug Enforcement Administration
- ^ "News from DEA, Domestic Field Divisions, Detroit News Releases, 11/20/07". Archived from the original on August 2, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "The Black Mafia Family" Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, February 2010, Atlanta Magazine
- ^ a b c d e "Demetrius "Meech" Flenory BMF Indictment | PDF | Organized Crime Groups | Misconduct". Scribd.
- ^ "The Second of Two Drug Kingpins Plead Guilty To Drug and Money Laundering Charges". News release. US Drug Enforcement Administration. November 20, 2007. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ Starbury, Allen (September 14, 2008). "BMF Founders Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison". BallerStatus. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012.
- ^ Federal Bureau of Prisons. "Inmate Locator: Demetrius Flenory". US Department of Justice. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "Black Mafia Family leader 'Big Meech' early release halted". thegrio.com. May–June 2020.
- ^ "Bleu DaVinci – Streets On Lock". Discogs. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ Bleu Davinci featuring Young Jeezy and Fabolous. Streets on Lock (Music video). Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ Shalhoup, Mara (December 6, 2006). "Hip-hop's shadowy empire". Creative Loafing.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Shalhoup, Mara (2010). BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family. St. Martin's Press.
- ^ [1] Archived January 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "DEA Deals Motor City Mafia a Knock-out Blow" (Press release). United States Drug Enforcement Administration. October 28, 2005. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ Sales, Nancy Jo (November 2006). "Is Hip-Hop's Jeweler on the Rocks?". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on November 30, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ "16 Additional People Indicted in Large Scale Drug and Money Laundering Case" (Press release). United States Drug Enforcement Administration. June 15, 2006. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ "Sixteen Members of Black Mafia Family Charged in Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy" (PDF) (Press release). United States Attorney's Office: Northern District of Georgia. July 25, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Ten Black Mafia Family Defendants Sentenced" (Press release). United States Drug Enforcement Administration. October 30, 2008. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Cook, Rhonda (July 17, 2009). "Last remaining member of Black Mafia Family arrested". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ Hayes, Jabari (2009). Miles in the Life. For Life Publishing.
- ^ Freeman, Scott (2007), BMF: The book and the movie, retrieved July 11, 2022
- ^ Garcia, Brian A. (2022). "The Story of Terry Flannery and Everything You Need to Know". WZUZ News. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ "'BMF' star Demetrius Flenory Jr. on playing his own dad in crime drama". New York Post. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
Further reading
[edit]- Shalhoup, Mara (March 2, 2010). BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-0-312-38393-0.
- Big Meech (February 24, 2009). "Hustlaz Ambition: BMF's Big Meech". The Source (Interview). Interviewed by Aimstar. Archived from the original on May 22, 2009.