‘Survivor' Alum Brandon Hantz Faces 40 Years In Prison After Federal Gang Takedown
Former contestant has been arrested on racketeering conspiracy and arson charges, while several of his alleged associates are facing murder charges in a sweeping federal indictment.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas unsealed a 22-count indictment on Wednesday, charging Brandon Hantz and 13 others with a variety of crimes.
Prosecutors allege that the group is affiliated with the Bandidos motorcycle gang, a notorious organization engaged in a violent turf war with a rival gang known as B*EAST.
According to federal prosecutors, the Bandidos allegedly issued a "smash on site" order against B*EAST members, instructing associates to assault and even murder anyone affiliated with the rival group.
While Hantz, who the DOJ claims goes by the nicknames 'Loco' and 'Gun Drop," is not accused of assault or murder, he has been hit with two serious charges: racketeering conspiracy and arson, both of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted.
A federal law enforcement source confirmed to TMZ that Hantz was arrested in connection with the indictment. Meanwhile, a family member revealed that the FBI raided his home earlier today, despite claims that he had left the Bandidos last year.
Hantz is best known for his time on "Survivor: South Pacific" and "Survivor: Caramoan," where his unpredictable and explosive gameplay made him a controversial figure.
His most infamous moment came during "Survivor: Caramoan," when he dumped out his entire tribe's food supply after a heated altercation with fellow contestant Phillip Sheppard.
Reality TV fans might also recognize the Hantz surname. Brandon is the nephew of Russell Hantz, one of the most infamous villains in "Survivor" history.
In "Survivor"'s long and dramatic history, few contestants have left the game as chaotically as Brandon Hantz did in 2013 during "Survivor: Caramoan."
During a heated confrontation with fellow contestant Phillip Sheppard, Hantz, then 21, let his emotions take over. In a fit of rage, he dumped out his entire tribe's supply of rice and beans while launching into a profanity-laced tirade against his tribemates.
The meltdown created such a tense environment that, in an unprecedented move, Hantz's tribe refused to compete in the upcoming immunity challenge, instead opting to vote him out on the spot.
It was a shocking and uncomfortable moment, leading many viewers to question whether Hantz was in the right mental space to handle the intensity of the game.
Watching from home with his uncle Russell Hantz, Brandon's dramatic exit sparked immediate discussion within the Hantz family.
'He's young, impressionable, and he acts out when he gets mad,' Russell told PEOPLE, comparing his nephew's approach to his own cutthroat gameplay. 'When I get mad, I do things behind their back. Brandon did it to their face, and they really had no choice but to vote him off.'
While Russell acknowledged that his nephew's actions sealed his fate, he also believes Brandon could have handled things differently. 'He shouldn't have dumped out the rice in front of everyone; he should have hidden it in the middle of the night," he added.
Russell, known for his own ruthless strategies, emphasized that his villainous moves were always calculated. 'I did things when I played that were villainous, but they really did have a strategic purpose," he said. "I appreciate that Brandon wanted to stand up for himself, but he lost sight of the fact that this was a game for a million dollars.'
Despite the backlash, Brandon insists he has no regrets about his "Survivor" experience. Speaking to PEOPLE, he maintained that while his outburst was extreme, he isn't crazy and was simply reacting to the pressures of the game.
"A lot of people aren't interested to know what happened; they just want to make their own guesses of what really went down," he said at the time. "There was so much that happened that you never saw on TV."
"People say that it's hard to watch, but I'm proud of myself and how I left the game. I don't know why people want to assume that something's wrong," he added. "I don't have mental problems."
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