Why was Terry "Southwest T" Flenory convicted? Joe Biden pardons Big Meech's brother and BMF co-founder
On December 12, 2024, President Joe Biden granted clemency to Terry 'Southwest T' Flenory. It was part of the most significant single-day act of clemency in United States history, resulting in Biden commuting sentences of approximately 1500 people who were placed in home confinement during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Southwest T is known within hip-hop circles for founding the organized crime organization called Black Mafia Family (BMF) alongside his brother Demetrius 'Big Meech' Flenory in Detroit in 1985.
Initially, it started trafficking cocaine within Detroit but soon grew into a countrywide trafficking network.
In October 2005, Southwest T was apprehended for his involvement in the illegal activities of BMF. In 2008, he admitted to accusations of money laundering, drug trafficking, possessing more than 500 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to sell, and running a criminal organization.
The 54-year-old was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with an expected release date of 2038.
Southwest T was placed under home confinement in May 2020 when COVID-19 posed a health risk to inmates of correctional facilities. He was ordered to serve the rest of his sentence on house arrest.
On December 20, Southwest T celebrated his freedom with a post on Instagram containing the official affidavit of his clemency. The BMF founder captioned it:
"It’s been a journey, but prayer and unwavering faith beyond mere human comprehension got us to this point. Never once acted in my own ability nor doing anything to anyone to help myself. So the gloves are off the gag orders are up and all the naysayers have to suck it up."
The brothers also struck a deal with music mogul 50 Cent to produce a show on their lives. Titled BMF, the show stars Demetrius Flenory Jr. as his father Big Meech, and Da’Vinchi as Southwest T.
At present, the show has three seasons, with the fourth expected to come out in 2025.
Exploring the history of the Black Mafia Family founded by Southwest T and Big Meech
Big Meech and his brother Southwest T were born in Detroit, Michigan in the 1970s. The two got involved in drug trafficking since their high school days, selling $50 bags of cocaine on the streets of Detroit in the 80s. Thus, they were initially referred to as 50 Boyz.
Their business started growing exponentially after they founded the Black Mafia Family in the 1980s in Southwest Detroit. This resulted in the two establishing a nationwide drug trafficking ring that extended to states like Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, and Michigan.
The chief source of their product reportedly was in Los Angeles and they allegedly had strong connections with Mexican drug cartels.
Southwest T was in charge of the distribution while Big Meech reportedly handled shipments from Mexico to Los Angeles.
Big Meech established a record label called BMF Entertainment reportedly in an attempt to launder money earned from illegal activities. The two brothers gained immense popularity within hip-hop circles, thanks to their flamboyant personalities.
They also collaborated with artists like Gucci Mane, Pacman Jones, and FRick Ross.
According to Black Excellence, members of the Black Mafia Family smuggled drugs using high-end limousines. A separate compartment of these vehicles allegedly contained the shipments from Mexico.
They would enter the United States with the drugs and leave the country with cash in the same compartments.
Over the years, many documentaries and series have been made on the lives of the BMF brothers like BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire and Black Mafia Family.
