In the ongoing fight against gang violence and organized crime, law enforcement agencies have achieved a significant victory with the sentencing of 37 gang members, Joshua Miller and his co-conspirators, in the Simon City Royals case. This criminal enterprise, notorious for its brutal acts of violence and drug trafficking, has terrorized communities within and beyond the walls of Mississippi prisons. Through a coordinated effort involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, justice has been served, and perpetrators have been held accountable for their actions.
Joshua Miller Receives 16 years and 8 months
As a member of the vicious prison gang known as the Simon City Royals, Joshua Miller, 33, of Jackson, Mississippi, was given a term of 16 years and eight months in prison. With Miller’s sentencing, a case focusing on the gang’s drug trafficking, brutality, and money laundering comes to an end. His conviction for conspiracy to commit murder under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) highlights the seriousness of the accusations leveled against him.
The Reign of Terror: Simon City Royals’ Criminal Activities
The Simon City Royals were mostly connected to the Mississippi Department of Corrections and were involved in a variety of violent crimes both inside and outside of prisons. Their evil deeds included a wide range of illicit enterprises, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping, murder, assault, robbery, extortion, and witness tampering. Their complex organizational structure allowed them to sow fear and uncertainty over several states while working in tandem with the Gangster Disciples gang. According to court documents, the Simon City Royals operated mainly out of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, but their influence went well beyond prison boundaries, with members and affiliates engaging in illegal activity across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and other states.
Drug Trafficking: Fueling the Epidemic Within Prison Walls
The Simon City Royals contributed significantly to the ongoing problem of drug trafficking inside Mississippi’s prison system, even outside of their violent crimes. The gang entered multiple state prisons with large amounts of illegal drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, marijuana, and benzodiazepines, all while operating with impunity. Their network of distribution made deadly substances readily available to prisoners on a large scale, including extremely strong crystal methamphetamine. The Simon City Royals advanced their criminal agenda and fueled the cycle of drug misuse and violence in correctional facilities by preying on the weakness and addiction of prisoners
A Coordinated Effort: Law Enforcement Strikes Back
Law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, and FBI Jackson Field Office, collaborated with local law enforcement agencies across multiple states to investigate and prosecute the Simon City Royals case. This coordinated effort demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to combating organized crime and ensuring the safety of communities affected by gang violence.
Dismantling a Criminal Enterprise: Sentences for Co-inspirators
Miller’s co-conspirators were prosecuted for their roles in the criminal operations of the Simon City Royals prior to his imprisonment. These people were sentenced to terms ranging from several years to decades in prison for their involvement in money laundering, drug trafficking, and racketeering conspiracy, among other crimes. Their convictions serve as a strong warning to others that violent crime will not be accepted and that those who commit it will suffer dire repercussions.
A Strong Message: Holding Criminal Gangs Accountable
The Justice Department is dedicated to making violent criminal gang members answerable for their deeds, as stated by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri. The sentiment was also expressed by U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner, who thanked law enforcement partners for their work in breaking up the criminal business of the Simon City Royals. Other criminal gangs are strongly warned by the verdicts and punishments that their actions will not go unpunished.
An important stride forward has been made in the ongoing fight against organized crime and gang violence with the sentence of Joshua Miller and his accomplices in the Simon City Royals case. Communities can now start to recover from the trauma caused by this vicious criminal organization because law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels worked together and with determination to bring justice to the people. It is essential that we continue to be watchful and unwavering in our efforts to guarantee the safety and security of every individual as we proceed.
