The Intriguing Life and Times of Terry Flenory (2024)


by Banks Onuoha

Terry Flenory (Southwest Tee) is the younger brother of Demetrius Flenory Sr. (Big Meech) with whom he founded one of the biggest criminal organizations in the United States – the Black Mafia Family (BMF). Through the BMF, the Flenory brothers carried out organized money laundering and drug trafficking activities throughout the United States. The BMF had two major distribution hubs located in Atlanta and Los Angeles, the latter of which was run by Terry Flenory while his big brother kept the former running.

The Flenory brothers managed their illegal business for two decades before the law finally caught up with them. Consequently, the Black Mafia Family members were indicted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2005. The Flenory brothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison but Terry Flenory got an early release.

Who Is BMF’s Terry Flenory and How Old is He?

The Intriguing Life and Times of Terry Flenory (1)

Terry Lee “Southwest Tee” Flenory was born on January 10, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan, to Charles Flenory and Shelly Meech (Lucille). For the most part, Flenory is a businessman and music executive. Of American nationality, he hails from an African-American background. Aside from his big brother Demetrius Flenory, Terry Flenory has another sibling, a sister named Nicole. Flenory’s sister is the last child of the family born in 1974 in Dartmouth, Detroit. Nicole is an actress known for her recurring role in Starz’s original series Black Mafia Family which chronicles the crime story of her brothers.

Details about Terry Flenory’s educational background are not clear. However, it is public knowledge that he stopped at high school. It is not clear if he actually graduated from high school or dropped out to focus on his illegal dealings.

Involvement in Black Mafia Family and Fallout With Demetrius

The Intriguing Life and Times of Terry Flenory (2)

Terry Flenory is one of the two founders of the notorious Black Mafia Family. Alongside his brother Demetrius, Flenory began the business on the streets of Detroit in the late 1980s by selling $50 bags of cocaine. Consequently, they earned the name, “50 Boyz” while the business continued to grow. By the year 2000, they were not just known by the name Black Mafia Family (BMF), The Flenory brothers had established a strong cartel that distributed multiple kilograms of cocaine across different states, including Michigan, California, Louisiana, Georgia, and Ohio to name a few.

In 2003, Terry Flenory and Demetrius began to disagree on several issues about how the business should be run. The major reason for their fallout is Flenory’s dislike for the attention his brother was bringing to their business by partying hard. As a result, Flenory moved to Los Angeles where he established his own drug hub, leaving Demetrius to helm the main distribution center in Atlanta.

What Is Terry Flenory’s Net Worth?

The Intriguing Life and Times of Terry Flenory (3)

From selling $50 bags of cocaine on the streets of Detroit, the BMF would later grow their business to sell $20,000 per kilogram. Subsequently, they became one of the richest drug dealers in the world. During the course of their trial in court, prosecutors alleged the Black Mafia Family amassed over $270 million through their drug business and money laundering. The raids conducted on BMF stash houses revealed millions of dollars in cash, assets, and tons of cocaine.

Terry Flenory’s Prison Sentence and Why He Was Released Early

The Intriguing Life and Times of Terry Flenory (4)

Unknown to the BMF, an in-depth police investigation into their establishment had been ongoing since the early 1990s. Following a series of drug seizures and testimonies from BMF members, a two-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation was launched. Also, Terry’s phone was wiretapped within a 5-month period, garnering enough information and evidence to bring the drug lords to book.

Eventually, several members of the BMF were arrested in 2005 and in November 2007, the Flenory brothers pleaded guilty to founding and managing a criminal enterprise. In 2008, both brothers were slapped with a sentence of 30 years in prison each. While his brother is still serving out his sentence at Federal Correctional Institution, Sheridan, Terry Flenory was released early due to health issues. He was one of the inmates released on May 5, 2020, in an effort by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Terry Flenory’s Life After Release

The Intriguing Life and Times of Terry Flenory (5)

Terry Flenory has been out of prison since May 2020 after his release to home confinement. The former drug kingpin who rose to fame through the activities of the BMF is currently living in home confinement but his social life has been far from boring. He is active on social media, especially Instagram where he posts videos, pictures, and recent updates about his life.

Meanwhile, Terry Flenory is not dead as speculations suggest. However, he survived a gunshot wound to the eye in October 2021, following a gunfire incident with a rival gang in Detroit. Flenory is currently serving out the remaining years of his sentence under home confinement. In 2021, a Black Mafia Family-inspired drama television series of the same name premiered on STARZ. Producer, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson cast Demetrius Flenory’s real-life son, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr. to play the drug baron while American actor Da’Vinchi played Terry Flenory.

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Banks Onuoha

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Banks Onuoha is a prolific writer with a wealth of experience across various niches but her passion lies in the entertainment industry. An avid reader and storyteller, she loves to binge on movies and TV shows to ultimately share her views and TVOvermind provides the perfect platform for that. When Banks is not binge-watching a movie or TV series, she's probably cooking up a storm.

The Intriguing Life and Times of Terry Flenory (2024)

FAQs

Who is Terry's baby mother? ›

Kollege Kidd | Real Terry “Southwest T” Flenory and baby mama Rhonda (Lawanda) in Detroit '88 #bmf | Instagram.

What happened to Meech's brother Terry? ›

Terry Lee “Southwest Tee” Flenory smokes a cigar. Just like his older brother, Terry was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison. However, because of the spread of COVID-19, he was sent home to serve the rest of his sentence in 2020.

How many children does Terry Flenory have? ›

Profile summary
Full nameTerry Lee Flenory
Known children1
FatherCharles
MotherLucille
Siblings2
19 more rows
Jul 20, 2023

Why did Terry and Meech fall out? ›

By 2003, the two had been involved in a major falling out and rarely spoke to one another. In a conversation with his brothers caught by the DEA on wiretap, Terry discussed his worries that his brother Demetrius was bringing the wrong type of attention to their business with his excessive partying.

Did Lucille Flenory get divorced? ›

After years of financial struggles, Lucille and her husband divorced, which took a toll on the family. She fights back tears in a segment where she talks about how Demetrius felt that he had to become the head of the household.

Why did Terry leave LaWanda? ›

He admits he is living with LaWanda but their relationship is over, he just wants to provide for his child. She asks Terry to leave because her children should not be around strange men.

Who was Big Meech's best friend? ›

The character B-Mickie is based on Meech's best friend growing up, Derrick “D. Meeks.” Myles Truitt spoke to Showbiz about portraying the character. “I did tons of research,” he explained.

Who shot Tee in BMF? ›

When Meech finally returns, he reveals that Jay Mo allegedly shot Tee, though he suspect it could've been Lamar. Nevertheless, Terry wants Meech to solely focus on the business and leave the street violence alone.

How much is Terry BMF worth? ›

Terry Flenory's Net Worth: Estimated at $40 million as of 2024. Source of Wealth: Primarily from involvement in the BMF and subsequent business ventures. Legal Status: Serving a prison sentence for federal drug trafficking charges. Relation to Big Meech: Younger brother of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory.

When was Terry Flenory shot? ›

Unconfirmed reports have claimed Terry Flenory was shot in October 2021, sustaining injuries but surviving to continue his home confinement. According to The Detroit News, his brother, Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory, is set to follow him soon with a planned release in 2025.

What nationality is Lil Meech? ›

How many kids does Big Meech have in real life? ›

Demetrius Flenory has only one known child, Demetrius Flenory Jr, or Lil Meech, as he is known. Lil Meech was born on April 22, 2000, and is 23 years old as of 2023. He is an actor and rapper. Lil Meech was born in Miami, Florida, numerous years after his father's illegal business was established in Southwest Detroit.

Where is Terry and Meech today? ›

After their arrest and conviction in 2008, Terry Flenory was released on May 5, 2020, from prison citing health issues and will continue to serve his 30-year sentence from home. Demetrius had also appealed for compassionate release but was denied by the court.

What parts of BMF are true? ›

BMF follows the real-life 1980s story of the Black Mafia Family as two brothers, Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory and Terry "Southwest T" Flenory, rose from the streets of Detroit to become influential drug bosses.

Who is Terry's girlfriend in Bmf? ›

Since Bmf is based on the true story of the Flenorys rise to power, Many of the characters seen on the TV series are based on real lie people. Markisha Taylor is loosely based on Terry's long-term girlfriend, Tonesa Welch — The First Lady of Bmf.

Who is the real Lucille in Bmf? ›

BMF (TV Series 2021– ) - Michole Briana White as Lucille Flenory - IMDb.

Is LaWanda pregnant in Bmf? ›

In the next moment, Markeisha and LaWanda have an anticlimactic confrontation at the hair show after Terry announces his decision to take things to the next level with Markeisha, despite LaWanda being pregnant with their second child together.

Who is LaWanda on Bmf now? ›

BMF (TV Series 2021– ) - Sydney Mitchell as LaWanda - IMDb.

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