Seven individuals linked to a south St. Louis drug gang have pleaded guilty to various drug and firearm offenses, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Tom Albus.
Michelle Harris, 47, admitted on Tuesday to maintaining a premises for drug activity. The other six defendants had previously entered guilty pleas and are scheduled for sentencing in the coming months.
Talito “Scoot” Amos, 32, of Beverly Hills, Missouri, pleaded guilty on August 6 to four felony charges: conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, he sold fentanyl and methamphetamine as part of the “55 Boyz” organization. He also supplied drugs, directed customers where to purchase them—including selling directly to an undercover officer—and instructed others involved in the operation.
On January 23, 2024, after Talito Amos sold an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) over 300 capsules containing fentanyl and discussed selling methamphetamine by the pound, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Castilon Avenue in St. Louis County. Present at the scene were Talito Amos, Norey Amos and Jayvaughn Taylor. Authorities recovered more than one thousand capsules containing fentanyl, firearms including an AK-style pistol and disassembled AR-style rifle parts found at another location used by Talito Amos in Florissant; they also seized methamphetamine supplies such as a pill press and digital scales along with cash and evidence of ongoing sales.
Fifteen other associates or members of the “55 Boyz” group were sentenced last year in connection with related charges involving significant quantities of fentanyl distributed throughout south St. Louis.
Carlos “Los Bandz” Amos, 28, pleaded guilty on August 11 without an agreement (“open plea”) to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl as well as possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Xavier Amos admitted guilt on September 25 for conspiracy charges involving distribution of fentanyl; he acted as a driver for others involved in sales operations and handled communications with buyers before making sales himself. Norey Amos pleaded guilty in June after being apprehended while discarding over one hundred capsules containing fentanyl during police pursuit. John Ford entered his plea in August regarding conspiracy counts tied both to distributing fentanyl and possessing large amounts of methamphetamine intended for sale. Jayvaughn Taylor pleaded guilty in July for similar distribution-related offenses involving both drugs.
According to prosecutors: Taylor is half-brother to Talito Amos (as are Xavier and Norey), Carlos is their cousin; Michelle Harris is mother both to Taylor and Talito Amos.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and ATF agents; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is handling prosecution duties.
“This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone,” officials stated.
