A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Missouri has indicted Travis Santel Jones, a 21-year-old resident of St. Louis, Missouri, with charges linked to his alleged involvement in the Cochran Crips, a violent street gang. The charges include one count of murder in aid of racketeering, RICO conspiracy, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and causing death with a firearm. The indictment links Jones to three murders, including two individuals allegedly shot on the streets and another at his home.
“There is no place in our communities for groups that terrorize their neighbors," stated Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. He described the charges as involving "violent criminal acts and the tragic loss of three lives."
U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming said, “The alleged activity here is exactly the type of case that the Violent Crime Initiative was designed to tackle — complex criminal conspiracies involving drugs and years of violence.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson noted, “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not stop until we bring all those involved in the murders to justice.” She mentioned the surge of resources by the FBI in 2020 following a tragic misidentification by the Cochran Crips that resulted in the deaths of two students.
“Violence has no place in our community,” commented St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Tracy, expressing confidence in the efforts of local investigators and federal law enforcement to maintain community safety.
According to court documents, Jones and other Cochran Crips members allegedly conspired to commit multiple murders and drug trafficking offenses. The allegations include a 2020 incident where Jones and associates, reportedly seeking revenge against a rival gang, mistakenly killed two innocent people. In 2022, Jones allegedly murdered another gang member due to an internal conflict.
If found guilty of murder in aid of racketeering, Jones may face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Other charges also carry a possible life sentence.
The investigation is jointly conducted by the FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative, a collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement. It is also connected to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.
It must be noted that an indictment is a formal charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants remain innocent unless proven guilty in court.