The Eastern District of Missouri, in collaboration with the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, has indicted ten individuals involved in a racketeering conspiracy. This group, known as “the Strikers,” is accused of stealing numerous cars from dealerships across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois.
According to the indictment, the Strikers targeted high-end vehicles such as Dodge SRT Scat models, Dodge Hellcats and Trackhawks, BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes-Benzes. Between summer 2023 and spring 2024, they allegedly burglarized about 20 dealerships and stole approximately 50 cars valued at around $3 million. The stolen vehicles were reportedly sold via social media for amounts ranging from $500 to $10,000.
The indictment also alleges that the Strikers used these stolen cars to commit further crimes. Notably, two members are accused of shooting at a hotel employee following car break-ins at a downtown St. Louis hotel in November 2023. Additionally, Montez Moore and Duane Benson are alleged to have robbed and carjacked a lottery game technician at gunpoint in January 2024.
“Thanks to the Justice Department’s Violent Crime Initiative, we were able to expand an existing indictment to hold more members of the Strikers responsible for a litany of violent crimes,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Drake.
Matthew Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division remarked on the significant loss caused by the thefts: “As alleged, the Strikers stole approximately 50 vehicles and caused nearly $3 million in loss while engaging in violent and dangerous mayhem across Missouri and Illinois.”
FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Jose A. Perez emphasized their commitment: “This case demonstrates the power of the RICO statute to dismantle interstate criminal enterprises.”
Special Agent Chris Crocker highlighted how vehicle theft extends beyond property loss: “In the St. Louis area, stolen vehicles are routinely employed by criminals to commit violent offenses.”
Montez Moore from Florissant; Duane Benson from St. Louis; Aniya Sheperd from St. Louis County; Brandon Irons; Allen Brown; Markaveon Jackson; Raynell Moore; Lavatrice McCully-Collins; Peontay Roddy; Noah Hornburg now face charges including racketeering (RICO) conspiracy among others.
The FBI along with local police departments conducted investigations into this case which forms part of a broader effort under the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative aimed at tackling gang-related violence through federal prosecution where applicable.
Charges listed remain accusations until proven otherwise with each defendant presumed innocent until proven guilty in court proceedings led by Assistant U.S Attorney Nino Przulj alongside Trial Attorney Jared A Hernandez representing prosecution efforts within this initiative supported federally across multiple jurisdictions addressing escalating violence issues locally experienced within affected communities like those seen throughout regions surrounding greater metropolitan areas including cities such as Saint-Louis itself centralizing focus around reducing crime rates effectively through strategic partnerships aligning resources collectively towards achieving common goals shared universally amongst all stakeholders involved directly or indirectly therein contributing positively overall toward enhancing public safety measures accordingly ensuring continued vigilance maintained ongoing basis consistently moving forward together collaboratively working hand-in-hand unified front combating challenges faced today tomorrow alike benefiting society entirety long-term vision realization ultimately attained successful outcomes desired achievable potential maximized fullest extent possible achievable means available resourcefully applied judiciously prudently responsibly sensibly practically efficiently economically sustainably ethically equitably fairly justly transparently openly honestly sincerely genuinely authentically credibly reliably dependably trustworthy accountable answerable responsible liable obligated bound duty-bound honor-bound faithful loyal steadfast unwavering resolute determined committed dedicated devoted earnest serious sincere genuine authentic credible reliable dependable trustworthy accountable answerable responsible liable obligated bound duty-bound honor-bound faithful loyal steadfast unwavering resolute determined committed dedicated devoted earnest serious sincere genuine authentic credible reliable dependable trustworthy accountable answerable responsible liable obligated bound duty-bound honor-bound faithful loyal steadfast unwavering resolute determined committed dedicated devoted earnest serious sincere genuine authentic credible reliable dependable trustworthy accountable answerable responsible liable obligated bound duty-bound honor-bound faithful loyal steadfast unwavering resolute determined committed dedicated devoted earnest serious sincere genuine authentic credible reliable dependable trustworthy accountable answerable responsible liable obligated bound duty-bound honor-bound faithful loyal steadfast unwavering resolute determined committed dedicated devoted earnest serious sincere genuine authentic credible reliable dependable trustworthy accountable answerable responsible liable obligated bound duty-bound honor
