Two-Time 'Survivor' Player Arrested on Charges of Racketeering and Arson During Gang Takedown
When Brandon Hantz took his final bow on his second Survivor season, he declared that he was "the author of his own fate." But when it comes to outside of the game, it will be a judge who ultimately determines it, as the 33-year-old could face up to 40 years in prison for racketeering and arson.
The news was first reported by TMZ, who wrote, "The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas unsealed a 22-count indictment Wednesday charging Hantz and 13 others with a variety of crimes ... alleging they're all members or associates of the Bandidos motorcycle gang in the state." Prosecutors say the Bandidos are currently in a turf war with fellow gang B*EAST, and were operating under a "smash on site" order to murder any members of their rivals.
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Hantz–who goes by the nicknames "Loco" and "Gun Drop" according to the DOJ–was not accused of any murder associated with the Bandidos (which he had apparently left last year). But he was arrested under counts of arson and racketeering, each of which could earn him a sentence of 20 years in prison. Sources say the FBI raided his home on Feb. 19.
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Hantz first appeared on the CBS reality show during its 23rd season, South Pacific. At only 19 years old, he hoped to continue the legacy of his family name. Brandon is the nephew of Russell Hantz, star of Seasons 19, 20, and 22, credited as one of the biggest villains and best players ever. While Hantz initially hid his family secret, he eventually let his true lineage be known. In Season 23, he made it all the way to the penultimate episode, where his tribemates exploited his susceptible morality to give up immunity, then vote him out in the process.
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But Survivor was not quite done with the Hantz family. Three seasons later, Brandon returned to the show as part of the "Favorites" tribe in Caramoan. Early on, Hantz developed a rivalry with fellow returnee Phillip Sheppard, feeling belittled by him. As the days wore on, things built to a boiling point, culminating in Hantz pouring out the tribe's food rations, and threatening to urinate on them. His emotional state poured over into the next challenge, where he had a public outburst in front of everyone in the game. As a result, Hantz was effectively ejected from the game, as the rest of his tribe elected to forfeit the challenge and vote him out right on the spot.
No further information is available at this time as to Brandon Hantz's arrest, and when he could possibly be facing trial.
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