Overview
- An 18-count superseding indictment in the Southern District of Texas charges 20 alleged members and associates with RICO conspiracy, murder and attempted murder in aid of racketeering, Hobbs Act robbery, firearms offenses, and drug trafficking.
- Authorities arrested 10 defendants in coordinated operations across Houston on Thursday, while 10 others were already in federal custody on related matters.
- Prosecutors detail alleged public violence used to control territory, including a June 24, 2022 parking-lot killing, an Aug. 3, 2022 shooting into a grandmother’s home, a foiled Aug. 14, 2022 stash-house robbery, and a June 3, 2024 pawn-shop holdup.
- Court filings allege the group financed weapons and supported jailed members through robberies and sales of crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana; Orlando Calloway is accused of cooking powder cocaine into crack for supply.
- Potential penalties include life on the RICO count, 10 years to life on drug and firearms charges, and for Terry and Travonte Ardoin mandatory life or the death penalty if convicted of murder in aid of racketeering; all defendants are presumed innocent pending trial.