Attorney General James Uthmeier secures conviction of Sex Money Murder gang leader after Polk County trial
Winter Heaven, Florida – Hernando Thompson, Jr., 36, of Orlando, was convicted this week for his leadership role in the Blood-affiliated “Sex Money Murder” gang, marking a significant victory for law enforcement and prosecutors working to dismantle violent criminal organizations in Florida. The Office of Statewide Prosecution, under the direction of Attorney General James Uthmeier, announced the verdict following a swift jury decision in a Polk County trial.
“This criminal led a violent, Bloods-affiliated gang that treated crime like a business—a business of robberies, drive-by shootings, and violence against children,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “A jury delivered justice, and he is looking at spending the rest of his life behind bars. Special thanks to Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Gary Malak, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and the Department of Corrections for upholding law and order.”
The trial, which took place from January 5 to January 8, 2026, ended in a decisive verdict after only an hour of jury deliberation. Thompson was found guilty on all five charges brought against him, including Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, and three counts of Directing Criminal Gang Activities. Prosecutors highlighted that despite Thompson’s attempts to insulate himself from direct criminal activity, he orchestrated the gang’s operations across Florida with meticulous planning.
“This case was difficult due to the defendant’s leadership position in the criminal enterprise, but our prosecutors were able to pull back the insulation he tried to wrap around himself,” said Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay. “This outcome would not be possible without the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and assistance from the Department of Corrections.”
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd praised the outcome, emphasizing the message it sends about Florida’s commitment to combating organized crime. “The conviction of gang leader Hernando Thompson is perfect example of Florida’s tough-on-crime criminal justice system at work,” Judd said. “We hope to see him sentenced to life in prison for his orchestration of violent criminal gang activities.”
The investigation leading to Thompson’s conviction began in 2022 and involved a coordinated effort between the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Corrections, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The probe uncovered extensive evidence of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, robberies, conspiracy to commit murder, the introduction of contraband into correctional facilities, and coordinated attacks on rival groups.
Thompson had avoided arrest for a time but eventually turned himself in last year after an outstanding warrant was issued. He was the last remaining member of the Sex Money Murder gang to be prosecuted in connection with the investigation. In total, twelve other gang members were arrested and successfully prosecuted, dismantling a network that had operated across multiple counties in Florida.
Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Thompson exercised command over all gang operations in the state while remaining deliberately removed from the criminal acts themselves. This strategy, prosecutors noted, allowed him to evade capture for a period, but it did not shield him from accountability once the investigation reached its conclusion.
Thompson is currently being held in the Polk County Jail and is awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for February 20, 2026. He faces a potential sentence of five consecutive life terms, corresponding to each charge on which he was convicted. If imposed, the sentence would ensure he remains behind bars for the remainder of his life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the scale of his leadership within the gang.
The successful conviction of Hernando Thompson underscores the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in targeting violent criminal enterprises. Officials highlighted that dismantling gangs like Sex Money Murder is not only about prosecuting individual offenders but also protecting communities from ongoing criminal activity and creating safer environments for residents.
“This is a victory for law enforcement and for the families affected by the gang’s violence,” Uthmeier said. “We remain committed to pursuing justice for victims and dismantling criminal organizations that threaten our neighborhoods and our youth.”
As Thompson awaits sentencing, law enforcement agencies continue to monitor gang-related activity across the state, ensuring that those who attempt to exploit or harm communities face the full weight of the law. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts required to combat organized crime and the impact that dedicated prosecutors and law enforcement officers can have on public safety.
