Show-Me State Times

The Eastern District of Missouri, in collaboration with the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, has indicted ten individuals for their involvement in a racketeering conspiracy. This group, known as "the Strikers," is accused of stealing high-end cars from dealerships across eastern Missouri and southern Illinois.

The indictment reveals that the Strikers targeted luxury vehicles such as Dodge SRT Scat models, Dodge Hellcats and Trackhawks, BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes-Benzes between the summer of 2023 and spring 2024. They allegedly burglarized around 20 dealerships and stole approximately 50 cars valued at about $3 million. The stolen vehicles were reportedly sold via social media for significantly less than their market value.

Further allegations state that the Strikers used these stolen vehicles to commit additional crimes. Notably, two members are accused of shooting at a hotel employee following car break-ins at a St. Louis hotel in November 2023. In January 2024, Montez Moore and Duane Benson allegedly robbed and carjacked a lottery game technician at gunpoint using one of the stolen cars.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Drake commented on the expanded indictment: “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.”

Matthew Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated: “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: “This case demonstrates the power of the RICO statute to dismantle interstate criminal enterprises.” Special Agent Chris Crocker added that investigating theft rings helps prevent further violent crimes by addressing vehicle thefts linked to other offenses.

Originally indicted in 2024 were Montez Moore, Duane Benson, and Aniya Sheperd; seven others have been added: Brandon Irons, Allen Brown, Markaveon Jackson, Raynell Moore, Lavatrice McCully-Collins, Peontay Roddy, and Noah Hornburg. Charges include racketeering (RICO) conspiracy among others.

The FBI alongside local police departments investigated this case with Assistant U.S. Attorney Nino Przulj and Trial Attorney Jared A. Hernandez prosecuting it under St. Louis' Violent Crime Initiative partnership aimed at addressing violent crime through federal prosecution when appropriate.

Charges remain accusations until proven otherwise; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.