Executive Summary
- Twenty alleged members of the “Free Money” gang were arrested in Houston on federal charges.
- The 18-count indictment includes charges of RICO conspiracy, murder, and drug trafficking.
- Specific allegations include a fatal 2022 shooting and a plot to rob a drug stash house.
- The operation involved collaboration between the FBI, Houston Police, ATF, and Texas DPS.
Twenty alleged members and associates of the “Free Money” gang in Houston have been arrested on federal charges including racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses, following the unsealing of an 18-count superseding indictment by the Department of Justice.
The indictment, filed in the Southern District of Texas, details a violent campaign allegedly orchestrated by the gang to maintain control and intimidate the community. Federal prosecutors state that the organization utilized drive-by shootings, armed robberies, and drug distribution as core operational tactics. U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei described the group’s actions as a comprehensive effort to “terrorize the people of Houston” through intimidation and armed violence.
Court documents cite specific instances of brazen violence attributed to the defendants. On June 24, 2022, surveillance footage allegedly captured defendants Terry Ardoin, 24, and Travonte Ardoin, 28, following a vehicle into a shopping center and opening fire, resulting in the death of a passenger. In another incident on August 3, 2022, authorities allege that defendant Shakeil Anderson, 23, and others fired repeatedly into the residence of a rival’s grandmother, endangering bystanders.
Prosecutors assert that the gang funded its operations through criminal enterprises, including the distribution of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. The indictment alleges that on August 14, 2022, twelve defendants conspired to rob a drug stash house, with plans to “kill and do everything they needed to do” to secure illicit funds and narcotics. Police reportedly intercepted the group en route to the location.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva highlighted the collaborative nature of the investigation, which involved the FBI, the Houston Police Department, the ATF, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. “The sheer number of murders and shootings these individuals are suspected of freely carrying out for years… is alarming,” stated Acting Special Agent Jason Hudson of the FBI Houston Field Office.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Federal Enforcement Strategy
The application of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in this case signals a continued federal strategy to dismantle violent street gangs by treating them as organized criminal enterprises. By elevating local violent crimes to the federal level, prosecutors can aggregate distinct incidents—such as specific shootings and robberies—into a broader conspiracy charge, often resulting in significantly longer sentencing guidelines than state-level prosecutions. This action underscores the operational impact of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative, which leverages federal resources and multi-agency intelligence to disrupt gang hierarchies in major metropolitan areas.
