ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man faces federal charges in connection with multiple alleged gang-related murders and could face the death penalty if convicted.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday for 21-year-old Travis Santel Jones for charges of murder in aid of racketeering, RICO conspiracy, using a firearm during a crime of violence and causing death with a firearm.

Court documents allege that Jones was involved in a violent street gang known as Cochran Crips. He is accused of participating in multiple shootings that resulted in the deaths of three people. The gang allegedly glorified two murders in a rap song, according to federal court documents.

Investigators say Jones conspired with other Cochran Crips gang members to commit murder and drug trafficking. Court documents allege that Jones and others were driving around the streets of St. Louis in July 2020 and searching for “get backs” or retaliation against a rival gang. Jones allegedly killed two innocent people who were mistakenly believed to be rivals, per court documents.

After that, in 2022, Jones allegedly killed a Cochran Crips gang member when the group believed he had disrespected another member, according to court documents.

If convicted on the murder in aid of racketeering charge, Jones faces a mandatory minimum penalty of life in prison and the possibility of the death penalty. All other charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Ashley Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI St. Louis Field Office, says the FBI has been actively investigating the Cochran Crips gang for years as part of a broader effort to combat violent crime. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not stop until we bring all those involved in the murders to justice,” she said via a Friday news release.

“Violence has no place in our community, and this indictment sends a clear message: we will always be a voice for victims, and we will not stop pursuing justice until there is accountability,” said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Tracy. “I am proud of the dedication by our investigators on this case, and we will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners to keep our neighborhoods safe and take dangerous criminals off our streets.”

“There is no place in our communities for groups that terrorize their neighbors,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This indictment alleges violent criminal acts and the tragic loss of three lives, all at the hands of a dangerous gang member. The Department of Justice’s Criminal Division will continue to pursue justice for these victims and for the people of St. Louis.”

“The alleged activity here is exactly the type of case that the Violent Crime Initiative was designed to tackle — complex criminal conspiracies involving drugs and years of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming for the Eastern District of Missouri. “There are severe federal consequences for anyone who is tempted to kill and maim to peddle poison.”

The FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case.