Investigators from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 22 individuals as part of Operation Gang Shield. This seven-month, multi-agency investigation targeted criminal activity associated with the violent street gang known as “Sex, Money, Murder”.
Sex, Money, Murder (SMM) is a faction of the United Blood Nation, originally founded in the late 1980’s in New York City. The gang is known for its hierarchical structure and involvement in violent crime, narcotics offenses, and organized criminal conspiracies across multiple states. In recent years, SMM has expanded its footprint into smaller communities throughout the southeastern United States.
Beginning in May 2025, Investigators from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into SMM. Working with state and federal partners, Lee County Sheriff’s Office Investigators worked to identify key participants, disrupt criminal networks, and restore safety to affected neighborhoods.
The 22 individuals arrested through Operation Gang Shield are collectively facing 79 criminal charges including violations under the Alabama Criminal Enterprise Prevention Act, violent offenses, firearms related offenses, fraud related offenses, and narcotics related offenses. Search warrants executed as part of the operation resulted in the seizure of eight firearms, some of which have been connected to various shootings in Alabama, and other evidence of ongoing organized criminal activity.
As a result, the following individuals have been arrested:
- Khalif Da’Quan Kellum, 26, Kellyton, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership
- Identity Theft x3
- Attempted Theft of Property 1st x2
- Theft of Property 3rd
- Damien Antwon Goodwin, 25, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x2 (Currently being held in the Chambers County Jail pending charges of Attempted Murder and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle
- Braylon Isayah Meadows, 18, Opelika, AL
- Robbery 1st
- Use of a Firearm to Further Interest a Criminal Enterprise
- Compelling Street Gang Membership
- Armod Kiante Reynolds, 29, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership
- Antonio Cordell Finley, 33, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership
- Kentavious Armoni Thomas, 26, Opelika, AL
- Robbery 1st
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x5
- Probation Violation x2
- Darrick Duran Hunter Jr, 24, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x5
- Derrion Damon Malik Brock, 25, Lanett, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership
- Ramil Emmanuel Saqaun Dickerson, 23, Phenix City, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x4
- Jawahski La’Ted Dickerson, 19, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x4
- Un-named Juvenile, 17, Opelika, AL
- Robbery 1st
- T’Harra Jarnevious Brunson, 21, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x4
- Kejuan Jermichael Gopher, 19, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x5
- Possession of Marijuana 2nd
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Petronius Javon Bailey, 18, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x2
- Possession of Marijuana 2nd
- Jayden Kamarious Buchannon, 24, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x2
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Jar’ki Recell Brooks, 24, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x4
- Ty’Shawn Durrell Wright, 23, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x7
- Devin Kyle Roberson, 20, Opelika, AL
- Robbery 1st
- Compelling Street Gang Membership
- Tamia Monae Sharnell Patrick, 27, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership
- Radrekius Tykel Smith, 26, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x2
- Damontae Martez Martin, 27, Opelika, AL
- Compelling Street Gang Membership x3
- Jer’myah Caro’linda-Irulan Wood, 22, Auburn, AL
- Identity Theft x3
- Attempted Theft of Property 1st
- Theft of Property 3rd
This investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are expected. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the numerous agencies whose assistance made Operation Gang Shield possible. This collective effort was supported by the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Auburn Police Department, Opelika Police Department, Valley Police Department, Lanett Police Department, Tallapoosa County Drug Task Force, Dekalb County Gang Unit, Georgia Gang Investigators Association, and Alabama Gang Investigators Association. Their collaboration was instrumental in the success of this operation.
