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In this episode, retired agent Todd Schliem reviews his investigation of violent gang members of the Harvey Hustlers and its enforcement arm, the Murder Squad. They were responsible for multiple killings associated with illegal drugs sales in the New Orleans area, and ruled the streets of Harvey, Louisiana for nearly 30 years.
David Williams aka “Mr. Harvey” and his brother Rob led the Harvey Hustlers. Brothers, Melvin and Jermaine Hudson, led the Murder Squad. As they got rid of their rivals, they eventually turned on each other. Most members ended up dead or in prison. The multi-agency case was code-named Operation Swagg Crazy.
One of Todd’s proudest accomplishments is knowing the case improved the quality of life in the neighborhoods previously held hostage by these ruthless gangs.
Special Agent (Retired)
Todd Schliem
4/1999 – 8/2021
Todd Schliem served in the FBI for over 22 years. His first office was the two-man South Lake Tahoe Resident Agency out of the Sacramento Division.
During the five years he was there, he was involved in the investigation of two horrific child abduction/murder cases. After the tragic 9/11 terror attacks, Todd volunteered for TDYs to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Guantanamo Bay, where he interviewed Taliban and Al Qaeda prisoners. Upon his return, he transferred to the San Francisco Division, where he was assigned to the OCDETF squad and was a member of the SWAT Team and a certified crisis (hostage) negotiator.
He and his wife, an agent who was in his FBI Academy class at Quantico, relocated to New Orleans to be closer to family. Todd landed on the drug gang squad where he was the recipient of numerous awards:
2016 – FBI Director’s Award – Outstanding Criminal Investigation
2015 – Safe Streets Top 30 Gang Investigation
2015 – Metropolitan Crime Commission Case of the Year
2014 – Federal Service Executive Board Case of the Year
2011 – Safe Streets Top 30 Gang Investigation.
2009 – Safe Streets Southeast Region Gang Case of the Year
Toward the end of his career, Todd attended polygraph school and served as the division’s polygrapher. The special operations surveillance group (SOG) was his last assignment before his retirement.
Currently, Todd Schliem is the Chief of Police for his adopted hometown of Mandeville, LA, where he leads a department of nearly 60 sworn officers and administrative employees.
The following are links to articles about the FBI in New Orleans, the takedown of the Harvey Hustlers, Murder Squad, and case related images:
FBI Website – 7/17/2024: Operation Clean House: New Orleans
US District Court – Eastern District of Louisiana – 1/27/2012: Superseding RICO Indictment Melvin Hudson et al
The Advocate – Sep 15, 2016: Indictment outlines case against violent Harvey Hustlers gang –7 murders, drug dealing linked to Harvey Hustlers
4WWLTV (VIDEO) – 3/5/2015: 21 Members of Suspected Drug Gang Indicted
FBI New Orleans Press Release – 9/15/2016: Westbank Gang Members Plead Guilty
Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office – 1/29/2016: Harvey Hustlers gang members sentenced to 20 years in prison in drug racketeering case
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana – 4/21/2016: Violent Harvey Hustlers Gang Members Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Sentences
Listen to more FBI Retired Case File Review episodes about violent drug gangs here.
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