Andrew Mariano (23) of Flagler Estates, identified as a senior leader of the violent Bloods-affiliated “Sex, Money, Murder” gang, was recently arrested by members of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) Task Force, SWAT, and Special Investigations Unit. The arrest was made with assistance from the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO).
Mariano is one of ten suspected senior leaders taken into custody following a several-year investigation by the BSO Gang Investigations Task Force. He faces charges related to racketeering, conspiracy to commit homicide, directing activities of a criminal gang, and money laundering.
The SJSO and BSO executed a search warrant at Mariano’s residence, where firearms and narcotics were discovered. The investigation revealed that Mariano is allegedly responsible for trafficking in drugs and firearms across northeast Florida.
The arrests are the culmination of a multi-year investigation led by the BSO Gang Task Force, with the collaboration of numerous law enforcement partners. The investigation into the “Sex, Money, Murder” Blood gang uncovered that two command-level members resided in Broward County, leading to the identification of the gang’s statewide leadership and associated financial accounts. Detectives also uncovered numerous contributing crimes across Florida, including the unlawful trafficking of firearms, trafficking of narcotics (cannabis, methamphetamine, and fentanyl), fraud, planning or directing criminal gang activities, and conspiracy to commit homicide. Investigators also discovered a “kill list” of intended victims and were able to notify them, potentially saving their lives.
Arrest warrants were filed in March, and a coordinated statewide operation in April resulted in the arrests of all ten suspects. Simultaneous residential search warrants were executed in Pembroke Pines, Lauderhill, and Hastings, Florida, leading to the recovery of additional firearms, trafficking amounts of narcotics, and gang paraphernalia. All suspects have been charged in Highlands County and are expected to be tried there.
The investigation into the “Sex, Money, Murder” Blood gang remains ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information on this criminal organization or their crimes to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.
The other individuals arrested or charged in connection with this operation include: Damian Thompson (31), Ridge Wietsma (33), Quam’ani Floyd (30), Hank Edwards (30), Gene Rowe Jr (27), Bruce Garniss (21), Deaunte Boyd (31), Richard Rivera (28), and Darling Siplin III (26).
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