15 people convicted of drug offenses as part of “55 Boyz”.

ST. LOUIS – Fifteen people linked to a south St. Louis gang that sold significant amounts of fentanyl have been convicted of drug and gun crimes.

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

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

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

He added that local and federal authorities have “done everything possible to dismantle the '55 Boyz,' a well-known violent street gang responsible for criminal activity.” We know that drug sales can have significant impacts, including robberies, shootings and violence.”

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

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

“As is often the case with drug trafficking organizations and gangs, they have been both the targets of drug-related shootings and 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.

According to court documents, Lindsey raved about the gang, distributing fentanyl and other illegal activities. 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 trial were sentenced on Monday, according to police. Five other people were charged individually and all pleaded guilty. Four were convicted.

The fentanyl trafficking investigation began in September 2021 by SLMPD. The department worked with the ATF and IRS – Criminal Investigations to combat money laundering and track down the illegal proceeds of drug sales.

According to police, the co-conspirators used phones to arrange drug sales and sent text messages advertising their illegal product.

The 13 others 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, pleaded guilty and were convicted of drug or weapons offenses. Ja'Vonne Lindsey, 20, is awaiting sentencing.

The investigation is ongoing. The police believe that other people are connected to the case.