TAMPA, FL – The streets of Tampa have seen a measure of justice, but the rot runs deep. Four men – Keaujay Hornsby, a/k/a “Plug,” (26, Tampa); Kareem Spann, a/k/a “Reem,” (27, Tampa); Tywon Spann, a/k/a “Weez” (25, Tampa); and Eriaus Bentley (29, Tampa) – have admitted guilt to a sprawling racketeering conspiracy known as “Robles Park,” a criminal enterprise fueled by violence, drugs, and brazen fraud. The organization’s reach extended far beyond Tampa’s borders, impacting victims in 20 different states.
The core of the operation wasn’t just about pushing narcotics. It was about control, enforced through intimidation and gunfire. Hornsby and Spann are facing life in federal prison after admitting to committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering and discharging firearms. Their actions culminated in two separate, chilling shootouts in July 2020. The first, outside the Truth Lounge, left eight people injured, including minors, caught in the crossfire. Just days later, in the parking lot of International Plaza, a retaliatory firefight erupted, leaving 25 spent shell casings and damaged vehicles in its wake. This wasn’t random violence; it was a calculated display of power.
While the guns blazed, the “Robles Park” crew was also quietly siphoning off millions in fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits. Using stolen personal identifying information (PII), the defendants filed over 200 false claims, aiming for a loss exceeding $3 million. They didn’t just file the claims; they harvested the benefits, receiving bank cards loaded with stolen funds and draining ATMs across the country. This wasn’t petty theft; it was a systematic exploitation of a system designed to help those in need.
The feds weren’t blind. A January 2021 raid on a residence connected to the enterprise uncovered 253.2 grams of cocaine, 298.4 grams of marijuana, and 174.2 grams of synthetic cannabinoids – the fuel for their street operations. A subsequent search of Tywon Spann’s home on August 12, 2020, yielded even more damning evidence: firearms, pounds of marijuana, and a staggering $200,000 in cash, all traceable to the proceeds of their illegal activities. That money will now be forfeited.
Bentley faces a maximum of 5 years in federal prison for his role in the fraud and identity theft aspects of the conspiracy. Tywon Spann is looking at up to 20 years. But the real weight falls on Hornsby and Kareem Spann, who could spend the rest of their lives behind bars. The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the United States Secret Service, and the Department of Labor, proving that even deeply entrenched criminal enterprises can be brought down when agencies work together.
Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes is prosecuting the case, and while these guilty pleas are a step forward, they represent just one battle won in the ongoing war against organized crime. The “Robles Park” enterprise may be crippled, but the conditions that allowed it to flourish – poverty, desperation, and a lack of opportunity – remain. Until those underlying issues are addressed, Tampa’s streets will continue to breed new generations of criminals.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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