logo
‘Survivor' Alum Brandon Hantz Faces 40 Years In Prison After Federal Gang Takedown

‘Survivor' Alum Brandon Hantz Faces 40 Years In Prison After Federal Gang Takedown

Yahoo20-02-2025

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."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NorCal man accused of selling fentanyl-laced pills to teen gets 8 years in prison
NorCal man accused of selling fentanyl-laced pills to teen gets 8 years in prison

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

NorCal man accused of selling fentanyl-laced pills to teen gets 8 years in prison

A Monterey County man was sentenced to more than eight years, in prison after he was convicted of selling pills laced with fentanyl via social media. Edward Tellez Solis, 27, was sentenced Monday to federal prison for distributing fentanyl-laced, fake oxycodone pills on social media and possessing a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California. The Marina resident was also accused of selling fake pills to a 15-year-old boy who died from an overdose. Federal prosecutors said the 15-year-old boy died after taking fake oxycodone pills, also known as "blues" or "M30," laced with fentanyl and sold by Tellez Solis in March 2022. Tellez Solis pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Dig deeper Federal prosecutors said that Tellez Solis used social media apps like Snapchat and Telegram to advertise, sell, and distribute fentanyl-laced pills, cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, Hydrocodone/Norco tablets, marijuana, and Xanax tablets. In March 2022, Tellez Solis delivered at least nine M30 pills to the boy, who soon died from an overdose, federal officials said. When officers searched Tellez Solis' car, they found more than $17,000 in cash, a loaded gun, three fully loaded magazines, and almost 90 rounds of ammo. His home yielded more than $98,000 in cash, officials said. What they're saying "While this sentence brings a measure of justice to the community for this crime, it can never undo the pain and devastation the defendant's reprehensible actions caused the victim's family," said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. "We will continue to work closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to fight the scourge of fentanyl and other illegal narcotics pouring over our border. We owe the victim's family and the people of the Northern District of California nothing less." "Edward Tellez Solis used social media as a superhighway to sell lethal drugs and line his pockets with the proceeds. [Monday's] sentencing marks a crucial step in bringing justice to the victim and a family devastated by the scourge of fentanyl," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. "We will be relentless in our pursuit of unscrupulous drug dealers who distribute poison in our community." Once released from prison, Tellez Solis will serve three years on supervised release. He must also pay nearly $30,000 in restitution to the teen's family, federal officials said.

Pennsylvania men accused in scheme that swiped $80M in U.S. Treasury checks
Pennsylvania men accused in scheme that swiped $80M in U.S. Treasury checks

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Pennsylvania men accused in scheme that swiped $80M in U.S. Treasury checks

(WHTM) — Four Pennsylvania men are facing charges in connection with the theft of over $80 million in U.S. Treasury checks. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced Wednesday charges against four men from the Philadelphia area: Tauheed Tucker, 23, and Saahir Irby, 27, both of Philadelphia; Cory Scott, 25, of Ardmore; and Alexander Telewoda, 25, of Clifton Heights. The men are facing felony conspiracy to steal government funds, theft of government funds, and mail theft charges. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Irby and Tucker were working as mail processing clerks for the U.S. Postal Service between June 2023 and Sept. 2024. They are accused of intercepting and swiping thousands of envelopes containing U.S. Treasury checks from mail sorting machines at the USPS Philadelphia processing center. The men then allegedly sold them to Scott and Telewoda, who then resold the checks on Telegram. They were mailed to buyers across the country who attempted to cash them. In total, $80 million in checks were allegedly stolen, $11 million of which were cashed. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices If convicted, Irby faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison and the remaining men face up to 20 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DC mother found guilty of murder for death of 16-month-old daughter
DC mother found guilty of murder for death of 16-month-old daughter

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

DC mother found guilty of murder for death of 16-month-old daughter

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A D.C. woman was found guilty of murder Wednesday in the death of her 16-month-old daughter in March 2017. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia, 39-year-old Faneisha Scott was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree cruelty to children and second-degree cruelty to children. FCPD: Ex-Youth summer program leader charged with secretly recording minors Evidence stated that around 2:45 p.m. on March 21, 2017, Scott's friend- and her daughter Rhythm Fields' godmother- went to Scott's home in the 5400 block of C St. SE. The friend's 8-year-old child asked to play with Rhythm, but the friend found Rhythm in her playpen 'unresponsive and cold.' Scott went outside and flagged down a mail carrier, who called 911 and went back into Scott's apartment with her. The mail carrier saw 'Rhythm on the couch, lifeless. The child's body was cold, her body was stiff, and her eyes were fixed,' the USAO said. The mail carrier remained on the phone with 911 until two others entered to give Rhythm CPR. The USAO said that one of these individuals was an experienced former firefighter who immediately recognized that Rhythm was dead. Scott told first responders that she hadn't had any contact with Rhythm since 9 a.m. 2 teens charged with 9 armed carjackings, robbery in DC; police search for more suspects The D.C. Medical Examiner's Office did an autopsy on Rhythm's body and ruled in February of 2018 that she had been killed and that her cause of death had been multiple blunt force injuries. The Medical Examiner's Office listed the following injuries: Contusions and abrasions of the head, neck, torso and extremities Subdural hemorrhage Cerebral edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute hypoxia-ischemia Retinal and optic nerve sheath hemorrhage Twenty-three bilateral rib fractures, showing both healing and new fractures Scott's sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 29, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store