An 18-count superseding indictment was unsealed in Houston, charging 20 alleged members and associates of the “Free Money” gang with racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses. Law enforcement arrested 10 defendants today; the remaining ten are already in custody on related federal charges.
According to court documents, Free Money members allegedly committed acts of violence including drive-by shootings and murder to advance their criminal enterprise. The indictment states that Terry Ardoin and Travonte Ardoin are accused of a murder connected to an ongoing gang conflict.
“The indictment unsealed today alleges that the Free Money gang engaged in a campaign of robbery, drug trafficking, and armed violence to intimidate their rivals and terrorize the people of Houston. That ends now,” said United States Attorney Nicholas Ganjei of the Southern District of Texas. “Houstonians should be able to live their lives without fear of either themselves or their loved ones being robbed, maimed, or caught in the crossfire of gang warfare. SDTX’s message on this point is clear and unmistakable: if you’re thinking of engaging in violent, criminal conduct on a Houston street, think again. The Southern District has your number.”
“This gang terrorized the streets of Houston with their drive-by shootings in public places like grocery store parking lots and with their brazen, armed robberies,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These brazen tactics show the wide-ranging danger posed by violent gangs. The Criminal Division will continue to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of violent gang members so that innocent Americans get what they deserve – their communities restored and their lives unencumbered by the fear and carnage that these gangs perpetuate.”
“The sheer number of murders and shootings these individuals are suspected of freely carrying out for years, and the level of indiscriminate violence they’re accused of executing is alarming,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson from FBI Houston Field Office. “Today’s coordinated arrests across Houston are the result of years-long investigations by our FBI Houston team and our partners. We hope the residents of the Houston neighborhoods they terrorized can rest a little easier knowing that these individuals are ‘free’ no more.”
Court documents describe incidents such as a June 24, 2022 shooting where Terry Ardoin and Travonte Ardoin allegedly followed two people into a shopping center parking lot before firing multiple rounds at them; one victim died at the scene.
The indictment further alleges that Free Money targeted rival gangs throughout Houston for attacks or robberies. On August 3, 2022, Shakeil Anderson along with others allegedly fired shots into a home belonging to a rival’s grandmother.
The group is also accused of financing firearm purchases through proceeds from robberies and drug sales. For example, on June 3, 2024 Walter Tolbert along with others allegedly robbed a pawn shop at gunpoint.
On August 14, 2022 several alleged members reportedly planned an armed robbery targeting another gang's stash house; during this attempt law enforcement intercepted them en route.
Charges also include drug trafficking involving crack cocaine supplied by Orlando Calloway who allegedly converted powder cocaine for redistribution within Free Money’s network.
If convicted on RICO charges defendants face up to life imprisonment; those charged with murder in aid of racketeering could receive mandatory life sentences or possibly face capital punishment.
The investigation was conducted by FBI Houston field office alongside local police departments with assistance from federal agencies such as ATF and Texas Department of Public Safety. Prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter Brown together with Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso from DOJ's Violent Crime section.
This case reflects broader efforts between federal prosecutors—including those based at offices across cities like Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi Laredo McAllen Brownsville—and law enforcement agencies aiming to address violent crime using available federal statutes (source). The U.S. Attorney for Southern District Texas covers over nine million residents across forty-three counties employing more than two hundred attorneys focused on prosecuting federal crimes (source).
An indictment represents only an accusation; all defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process.
