Eight Suspected Gang Members Indicted on Multiple Murder and Racketeering Charges in Broward County
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Eight suspected members of a violent gang operating in Broward County have been charged in a sweeping 33-count indictment, including eight counts of first-degree murder. The indictment, announced by the Broward Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, follows a multi-agency investigation targeting what officials describe as a “dangerous criminal enterprise.”
The suspects, aged 16 to 30, face charges connected to seven fatal incidents between June 2021 and January 2024. The murders spanned multiple Broward County locations, including a double homicide in Fort Lauderdale. Charges in the indictment include attempted murders, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, racketeering (RICO), conspiracy to commit racketeering, shooting into an occupied building, and possession of a machine gun, among others.
Five of the accused gang members were arraigned in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, with additional court appearances for the remaining suspects scheduled for later in the week. All defendants remain in custody at the Broward County Jail.
The arrests and indictments come after a months-long investigation by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Gang Investigations Task Force, in collaboration with the Broward State Attorney’s Office (SAO) and multiple law enforcement agencies. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony praised the joint efforts of detectives and law enforcement partners, underscoring the importance of community safety.
“I applaud the work of the dedicated detectives, the valuable assistance from the State Attorney’s Office, and collaboration with our law enforcement partners to rid Broward County of these heartless, violent criminals whose evil and cruel acts took innocent lives and placed communities in fear,” Sheriff Tony stated. “Evildoers should be warned—we will not let up in our relentless effort to keep Broward County safe.”
Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor echoed Tony’s sentiment, noting the significant impact of the investigation. “Our community is a safer place today because of this joint investigation with our law enforcement partners. Eight homicides and more than a dozen attempted murders – including the slayings of innocent civilians – are solved and illegal firearms have been seized from convicted criminals. We will continue to seek justice for victims, fight gang violence, and make our community safer,” Pryor said.
List of Suspects and Their Charges
The following individuals have been charged in connection with these crimes:
- Sigmund Brown, 27, arrested August 6
- Kevaris Johnson, 23, West Park, arrested August 6
- Gerard Charles, 30, arrested November 7
- Vondarious Davis, 29, arrested August 9
- Rajah Rolle, 16, arrested November 5 (charged as an adult)
- Tyriq Jackson, 24, arrested November 1
- Jared McCabe, 25, arrested November 7
- Trayvon Key, 27, arrested June 3
Timeline of Homicides
The suspects are linked to a series of murders across Broward County, as outlined in the indictment:
- June 16, 2021: Wisdom Williams was shot and killed; the body was discovered in Hallandale Beach.
- April 9, 2023: Antjuan Dobard was shot and killed in Pembroke Park.
- May 9, 2023: Vernaldo Donner and Terri McKenzie were shot and killed near Interstate 95 in Fort Lauderdale; the intended victim was not in the car.
- July 19, 2023: Wayne Smith was shot on July 15 in Hallandale Beach, succumbing to his injuries four days later.
- September 13, 2023: Dorothy Smart was shot and killed in the driveway of her home in Fort Lauderdale.
- January 20, 2024: Terrance Farrington Jr. was shot and killed at a Best Buy in Plantation.
- January 28, 2024: Johnnie Henderson was shot and killed in Miramar.
Investigation Details
The investigation gained momentum after a fingerprint belonging to Sigmund Brown, identified as a key suspect and leader of the gang known as the “Dania Hot Boyz” or “Grand Mafia,” was found in a vehicle connected to the January 20 Best Buy homicide in Plantation. Law enforcement officers familiar with Brown convened in February 2024 to review several open homicide cases, leading to this extensive interagency operation and subsequent indictments.
The investigation represents a major effort by local and state authorities to address gang violence and ensure community safety, as well as to dismantle organized criminal networks affecting South Florida. The case will continue to unfold in court in the coming months.
