ST. LOUIS — Fifteen people associated with a south St. Louis gang that sold a substantial amount of fentanyl have been convicted and sentenced for drug and gun crimes. 

What You Need To Know

  • This comes after a years’ long investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the IRS – Criminal Investigations

  • Rapper Davante Lindsey, 27, and Andre Pearson, 28, were the leaders of the “55 Boyz,” a gang and drug trafficking organization that was responsible for selling a significant amount of fentanyl in south St. Louis

  • Authorities seized two dozen firearms, thousands of fentanyl capsules, two homes purchased with drug proceeds, the cash value of a third home, two vehicles, diamond jewelry, including a “55 Boyz” chain necklace with roughly 2,500 tiny diamonds, and more than $120,000 in cash

This comes after a years’ long investigation by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the IRS – Criminal Investigations.

Rapper Davante Lindsey, 27, and Andre Pearson, 28, were the leaders of the “55 Boyz,” a gang and drug trafficking organization that was responsible for selling a significant amount of fentanyl in south St. Louis, according to police.

“St. Louis is safer today because of the hard work of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department detectives and our federal agents and partners,” Police Chief Robert Tracy said. 

He added that local and federal authorities “did everything possible to dismantle the ‘55 Boyz’, a known violence street gang responsible for criminal activity. We know drug sales can have major ripple effects, including robberies, shootings and violence.” 

Authorities seized two dozen firearms, thousands of fentanyl capsules, two homes with purchased drug proceeds, the cash value of a third home, two vehicles, diamond jewelry, including a “55 Boyz” chain necklace with roughly 2,500 tiny diamonds, and more than $120,000 in cash.

“Working together, the United States’ Attorney’s Office, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, ATF and IRS Criminal Investigations, targeted and prosecuted a drug gang that was the main source of supply of fentanyl in the south St. Louis area,” said Sayler Fleming, United States Attorney.  

“As is often the case with drug trafficking organizations and gangs, they were both the target of drug linked shootings, as well as the perpetrators of such violence.”  

Lindsey and Pearson formed the “55 Boyz” from other gangs such as YPG (Young Project Goons), TKO (Team Knockout), The Strip, Pressure Gang and CAVE.

Lindsey rapped about the gang, fentanyl distribution and other illegal activity, according to court documents. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Pearson was sentenced to 11 years.

The last two defendants in the initial phase of the case were sentenced Monday, according to police. Five others were indicted individually where they all pleaded guilty. Four have been sentenced.

The investigation into the dealing of fentanyl began in September 2021 by the SLMPD. The department teamed up with the ATF and the IRS – Criminal Investigations to target money laundering and trace the illegal proceeds of drug sales.

Co-conspirators used phones to arrange drug sales and sent out text messages advertising their illegal product, according to police.

The 13 others who have been convicted and sentenced are Edward Hopkins, 22, Tony Evans, 35, Araven Johnson, 29, Douglas Simpson, 35, Jeffrey Moore, 26, Shawn Liggins, 22, Omar Lewis, 23, Willie Lindsey, 44, Jamond Dismukes, 24, Travon Weatherspoon, 34, Birtha Lindsey, 43, Erik Simmons, 30, and Armani Tatum, 33.

Separately, Martez Lindsey, 32, Jaheim Young, 23, Jaron Tate, 24, and Jhonetta Phillips, 33, have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced on drug or gun charges. Ja’Vonne Lindsey, 20, awaits sentencing.  

The investigation is ongoing. Police believe there are more people connected to the case.