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…