The South St. Louis gang “55 Boyz” has been disbanded, authorities announce

ST. LOUIS – The 55 Boyz, a fentanyl-dealing gang in south St. Louis whose co-leader is a local rapper, has been dismantled, authorities announced at a news conference Monday.

Although the 55 Boyz may not be a familiar name to many St. Louisans, they had a major influence on the fentanyl trade in the south city and “were both the targets of drug-related shootings and the perpetrators of such violence,” U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming said .

Since the investigation began three years ago, 15 gang members and associates have been convicted and sentenced, and various search warrants throughout St. Louis have resulted in the seizure of drugs, guns, cash, homes purchased with drug money and a diamond chain necklace.

The gang's leaders were both sentenced to prison earlier this month. St. Louis rapper Davante “Jizzlebuckz” Lindsey, 28, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Andre “Luh Half” Pearson, 21, was sentenced to 11 years.

The pair helped form the 55 Boyz from other gangs, including Young Project Goons, Team Knockout, The Strip, Pressure Gang and CAVE, authorities said.

Lindsey was the face of the gang. According to court documents, he was known for rapping about the gang, fentanyl trafficking and other crimes.

In addition to Lindsey and Pearson, the gang had three “managers” who oversaw 13 workers and three “family agents.”

The organization was once responsible for a significant portion of the fentanyl sold in south St. Louis. Fleming said she believes the flow of drugs into the city will be severely affected by the conviction of the gang members.

When St. Louis police began investigating in 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had already arrested one person with drugs and weapons while investigating another case. Both agencies began working together, and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division joined forces to crack down on money laundering and illegal drug sales.

Multiple search warrants across St. Louis turned up more than two dozen guns, $120,000 in cash, thousands of fentanyl capsules and two cars. Prosecutors also said police seized two homes purchased with drug proceeds and a “55 Boyz” necklace containing about 2,500 tiny diamonds.

Police said the following 55 Boyz members were convicted and sentenced:

• Davante “Jizzlebuckz” Lindsey, 27: (12 years in prison);
• Andre “Luh Half” Pearson, 28 (11 years in prison);
• Edward “Edot” Hopkins, 22;
• Tony “Big Boi” Evans, 35;
• Araven Johnson, 29;
• Douglas Simpson, 35;
• Jeffrey Moore, 26;
• Shawn Liggins, 22;
• Omar Lewis, 23;
• Willie Lindsey, 44;
• Jamond “Huncho” Dismukes, 24;
• Travon “Skins” Weatherspoon, 34;
• Bortha Lindsey, 43;
• Erik Simmons, 30;
• and Armani Tatum, 33.

Four people independently pleaded guilty and were convicted of drug or weapons offenses:

• Martez Lindsey, 32;
• Jaheim “DaeDae” Young, 23;
• Jaron Tate, 24;
• and Jhonetta Phillips, 33.

Ja'Vonne Lindsey, 20, is awaiting sentencing, according to prosecutors.

The ATF also has an arrest warrant for Carlos Amos.

“We will continue to work together to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who flood our streets with fentanyl and use violence to further their illegal and very, very deadly activities,” Fleming said.