An 18-month investigation into alleged organized gang activity in northwest Fort Pierce has led to 22 arrests, the seizure of firearms and illegal drugs, and the identification of individuals investigators say are tied to nearly 100 shootings over the past 10 years.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Scoreboard, focused on the 23rd Street Gang, an alleged criminal organization that authorities say took part in drug trafficking, fraud and violent clashes with rival groups across St. Lucie County.
Fort Pierce Police Chief David Smith said investigators examined a decade of criminal activity and found connections between people associated with the gang and nearly 100 shootings. He said investigators also learned that alleged gang members kept a scoreboard tracking shootings and homicides, which gave the operation its name.
The case was pursued jointly by the Fort Pierce Police Department's Special Investigations Unit and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit under Florida's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. Over the full course of the investigation, authorities seized 18 firearms, 20 pounds of marijuana, 532 grams of cocaine and 2 grams of MDPV.
On Nov. 4, two days before the announcement, authorities carried out five search warrants at four homes in Fort Pierce and one home in Port St. Lucie. Tactical teams from the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI and the sheriff's office took part. Those searches turned up seven firearms, roughly one pound of marijuana, 15 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of MDMA and $18,474 in cash.
Smith said the operation produced 11 RICO-related arrests, with two suspects still at large, plus four additional arrests on probable cause.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro called the investigation an unprecedented level of cooperation among local, state and federal agencies. "There's no egos involved. We're all here for one thing, which is to make an impact in this community in the best way possible and make St. Lucie County the safest county in the state of Florida," Del Toro said.
Del Toro said the alleged gang's activity had left northwest Fort Pierce residents afraid to share information with law enforcement. He described the operation as potentially having a generational impact on the community and said more enforcement operations are expected. "This is just a new day here in St. Lucie County," he said.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Assistant Special Agent Daniel Warren also praised the collaboration, saying it shows how coordinated efforts can dismantle criminal organizations. He noted that a state program created in 2023 has directed $40 million toward investigations of criminal organizations, contributing to thousands of arrests and the seizure of drugs, firearms and illicit cash statewide.
Del Toro credited the 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office with helping investigators build a case that could meet the high legal standard for conviction. Smith said the investigation is not finished, adding: "We will not tolerate organized criminal activity that threatens the safety of our residents."
