THE GOULDS, Fla. – Two years ago, Patrick Walker was a teen who proclaimed he liked smoking marijuana on his Twitter account.
He tweeted he wanted to get a job, because he didn't want to continue to depend on his mother. And from the looks of his social media posts, he found a way to make money. "Bankroll gotta lil bigger now," he posted weeks later.
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Walker grew up in the Arthur Mays Villas Public Housing complex, 1341 SW 216th St, in the Goulds. The community, also known as "Chocolate City," has 184 two-story townhouses that were built in 1976 and were painted brown. And it has been the scene of many homicides.
"Will I make it out of the hood?" He tweeted when he was 15. "Only God knows."
Walker, now 17, was one of 31 people arrested at the complex Thursday. He was accused of being a member of a small crew turned gang known as "Chocolate City GMS 216." The criminal organization, also known as Get Money Soldiers, is linked to murders, narcotics sales, burglaries and robberies.
"Free Chocolate City Mann," Jason Steve Knight said on Facebook.
Walker's arrest was part of "Operation Willie Wonka," which involved Miami-Dade police, the U.S. Marshall, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Heavily armed police officers and federal agents startled residents early Thursday morning.
Authorities had four search warrants and 17 arrest warrants. The other 14 arrests happened during the operation, which allowed authorities to seize five handguns and one rifle.
Ronnie Robinson, 43, was one of the convicted felons, who were armed. Connie Crawley, 46, who has romantic pictures with Robinson on Facebook, was also arrested.
Nathaniel Simmons, 22, was out on probation for having a firearm without a serial number and possession of marijuana. On Thursday, he was armed again and was in possession of 285 grams of marijuana. Cassandra Simmons, 41, and Antorien Simmons were also arrested.
Madrice Thomas, 27, had a gun and pending charges for cocaine possession. On Thursday he was caught with cocaine and marijuana. His bond was set at $85,000, so he remained in jail Monday.
Taja Sands, 21, was on probation for several cases of burglary and criminal mischief. This time he was accused of grand theft and resisting an officer.
Javahris Anderson, 24, was out on bond for being involved in a high-speed chase. He had marijuana. Douglas Spates, 19; had cocaine and pain killers. Germaine Anderson, 22, had marijuana.
Alfred Lee, 34, who has a history of drug trafficking, had cocaine, marijuana and molly. Larry Dasher, 36, and Mark Cross, 34, were arrested for possession of marijuana.
Emmanuel Williams, 26, who has a tattoo of the Miami Dolphins on his neck and crosses on his face, was on probation for armed robbery. This time police accused him of drug trafficking.
In total, the operation seized 402 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine, molly and prescription drugs.Â
Others arrested include Shantey Atwater, 31; whose brother Casanova Atwater was shot dead last year in the same spot where Antoine Mckenzie was killed. She had pleaded with authorities to get armed security guards at the complex.
Also arrested were Shannon Mejia, 42; Priscilla Swanson, 48; Geremy Anderson, 22; Charlene Martin, 42; Marie Dean, 52; Courtney Comer, 24; Brandon Thompson, 28; Quentin Floyd, 21; Alexis Brown, 30;Â Patrick Walker, 17; Melancile Guillaru, 21, and Emmanuel Hill, 29.