Terry Lee Flenory: Southwest Tee, A famous Name in the Crime Industry
Who is Terry Lee Flenory?
Terry Lee Flenory, or Southwest Tee, is well-known in the criminal underworld. He co-founded the infamous Black Mafia Family, involved in drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
Moreover, despite his criminal activities, Terry is known for his entrepreneurial skills and investments in legitimate businesses. Terry was born on January 10, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan. As of 2023, Terry is 53 years old.
Additionally, Terry grew up in a lower-class family. So naturally, therefore, he became involved in drug dealing as a teenager and quickly rose to become one of the most powerful drug lords in the United States.
Terry’s fame skyrocketed after the premiere of a documentary TV series called “Black Mafia Family” on September 26, 2021. The series depicts the rise of the Flenory brothers and their criminal empire.
Let’s dive deeper into the early life, family background, career, interesting facts, controversies, relationships, etc., of Terry Lee Flenory.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Terry Lee Flenory |
| Nickname | Southwest Tee |
| Birthday | January 10, 1970 |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Sun sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Parents | Charles Flenory (Father) Lucille Flenory (Mother) |
| Siblings | Demetrius Edward Flenory (brother) Nicole Flenory (sister) |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Tenosa Welch |
| Children | Terry Flenory Jr. (Son) |
| Height | 172 cm |
| Weight | 176 lbs |
| Hobby | Watching games, listening to music, etc. |
| Eye color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, businessman, drug trafficker, and investor |
| Net worth | USD 50 million |
| Social media |
Interesting Facts
- Terry Lee Flenory’s preferred catchphrase is “walk by faith, not by sight.”
- Terry Lee Flenory has many supporters who recognize him by his nickname “Southwest T.”
- After confessing to several accusations, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and involvement in a murder conspiracy, Terry Lee Flenory was sentenced to 30 years in a federal jail in 2008.
- Terry Lee Flenory has partnered with numerous popular hip-hop and R&B artists and has collaborated with them on music-related projects.
- After spending twelve years behind bars, Terry Lee Flenory was released from imprisonment in 2019.
- Terry Lee Flenory indulges in smoking cigars and takes pleasure in it, and has further ventured into the market by establishing multiple cigar brands throughout the years.
- Southwest T was the victim of a shooting incident in October 2021.
- Terry enjoys listening to music in his spare time.
- The Black Mafia Family, led by Flenory, used BMF Entertainment in the early 2000s to launder money from cocaine sales and to make their organization seem more legitimate in the hip-hop music industry.
Early Life and Childhood
Terry Lee Flenory, a former drug trafficker and entrepreneur was born on January 10, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He is an African-American who practices Christianity and holds American nationality.
Moreover, he grew up in a neighborhood on the East Side of Detroit known for its poverty and high crime rates. Due to financial struggles, his family faced hardships.
During his teenage years, Flenory turned to drug trafficking, a profitable business in Detroit then. He partnered with his brother and began selling cocaine and other drugs on the city’s streets, slowly gaining a loyal customer base.
Despite their illegal activities, many in their community viewed the Flenory brothers as leaders. They were known for their charisma, street smarts, and generosity, often using their drug money to help those in need.
Although Flenory’s childhood was challenging, he persevered through adversity. He used his entrepreneurial skills to create a successful drug trafficking operation that expanded to multiple cities. He and his brother founded the Black Mafia Family, one of the most potent drug organizations in the United States.
However, Flenory and his brother’s criminal activities eventually caught up with them. Flenory was found guilty of drug trafficking and money laundering.
Despite his criminal past, Flenory’s story is one of resilience and determination. Despite growing up in a disadvantaged community and facing numerous challenges, he used his entrepreneurial spirit to succeed in the drug trade, albeit through illegal means.
Family Background
Charles Flenory (Father)
In early July 2017, Terry’s father, Charles Flenory, passed away. He supported his family by working as a truck driver to generate income.
The family faced financial struggles while the children were growing up. Charles played a vital role in providing proper parental guidance to his children.
Lucille Flenory (Mother)
Lucille Flenory is the mother of Terry Lee Flenory, who has faith in the Christian religion. According to sources, she worked as a nurse when she was younger but faced difficulties providing necessities and maintaining order in her household.
Lucille is known to be strict with her children and believes in punishing them to keep them on the right path. Moreover, she had to take on various jobs, including working at Wendy’s, to support her family.
Actress Michole Briana White portrayed the character of Lucille Flenory in the television series BMF.
Siblings
Terry Lee Flenory, one of the founders of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), has two siblings: a brother named Demetrius Edward Flenory and a sister named Nicole Flenory.
Demetrius Edward Flenory (Brother)
Demetrius (Big Meech) is a well-known figure in the BMF’s history. He and Terry Lee Flenory started selling cocaine in high school, and their operation grew into a massive drug empire with connections to various criminal organizations.
Big Meech was known for his charisma and ability to bring in new customers, while his brother Terry was known for his business acumen and organizational skills.
Despite their criminal activities, the brothers had a close relationship with each other and their families. They used their wealth to support their loved ones and were protective of their younger sister, Nicole, who stayed away from their business dealings.
Nicole Flenory (Sister)
Nicole Flenory was born in 1974 in Detroit to Charles and Nicole Flenory. She grew up alongside her two older brothers. There is little information about Nicole’s life before or after the BMF, but Laila Pruitt portrayed her character in the TV series about the BMF.
The show has shed some light on Nicole’s character, describing her as an intelligent, ambitious young woman aware of her brothers’ illegal activities and their impact on their families.
Education
Sources indicate that Terry and his brother completed high school at the same local educational institution.
Although details about Terry’s education are unclear, it is evident that he and his brother pursued illegal activities that enabled them to accumulate significant wealth. By engaging in drug trafficking and utilizing their knowledge of money laundering, they created a highly profitable enterprise.
Therefore, it emphasizes that their success was primarily attributed to their criminal activities, highlighting the dangers and consequences of participating in illicit ventures.
Terry Lee Flenory Physical Appearance
Terry Lee, who has a slightly dark complexion, is an African American male who has grown physically recently. His personality is charming, and he possesses a muscular physique with black eyes and short hair.
Similarly, he stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 175 pounds, making him of average appearance. Terry also has a mustache and wears glasses.
Terry Lee Flenory Wife and kids
Regarding Terry’s love interest, Terry has officially tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend, Tonesa Welch. The two have been together for a while, with Tonesa reportedly falling in love with Terry when she was just 19 years old.
Furthermore, Tonesa Welch is a public figure, brand influencer, and executive producer of Notorious Queens. She has a considerable following on her Instagram account, with 45.5k followers. Terry and Tonesa frequently share pictures of each other on social media, accompanied by words of admiration and affection.
The couple has a son, Terry Flenory Jr., who appears to be a family-oriented individual who loves and respects his loved ones.
Additionally, Terry and Tonesa have a solid and loving relationship, with both parties publicly sharing their affection for one another. Despite their busy careers, they prioritize their relationship and make time for each other.
Career
Terry Lee Flenory was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering as a co-founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF) with his brother Demetrius Flenory. Their criminal career began during high school in Detroit, where they sold 50 bags of cocaine on the streets. The BMF soon became a powerful drug trafficking organization operating across major cities in the United States.
The Flenory brothers were notorious for their lavish lifestyles, including expensive cars, mansions, and private jets. In 2005, they were arrested and charged with various drug and money laundering offenses, resulting in a 30-year prison sentence for both brothers.
Despite their criminal activities, the Flenory brothers also established BMF Entertainment, a promotion agency and record label for hip-hop music. The entertainment company adopted the name “Black Mafia Family” and was associated with numerous high-profile hip-hop artists, including Diddy, Trina, T.I., Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, and Fabolous.
The organization served as a front for money laundering the cash generated by the cocaine distribution network and attempted to create a legitimate business and legal source of income.
Terry Lee Flenory’s criminal career was cut short by his arrest and imprisonment. However, the Black Mafia Family’s connection to the hip-hop industry and the Flenory brothers’ extravagant lifestyle have been the subject of documentaries, books, and television series.
Black Mafia Family(BMF): The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire, a 2012 documentary, explores the 14-year investigation that led to one of the largest drug busts in history. In addition, a drama television series called Black Mafia Family, produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, premiered on STARZ in 2021, with Demetrius Flenory Jr. playing his real-life father.
Controversies
Terry Lee Flenory, also known as “Southwest T” or “Big Meech,” was one of the co-founders who initiated the formation of the BMF, a criminal enterprise engaged in the trafficking of illegal drugs in numerous cities throughout the United States.
Flenory and his brother Demetrius Flenory were arrested in 2005 and charged with multiple offenses, including drug trafficking and money laundering. The court sentenced him to 3 decades in federal prison in 2008.
There are several controversies surrounding Flenory, including his involvement in drug trafficking and the impact of his criminal activities on communities.
Some believe that Flenory and his organization, the BMF, played a part in the spread of crack cocaine that affected various neighborhoods in urban areas during the 1980s and 1990s. The use of crack cocaine led to increased violence and addiction, devastatingly affecting families and communities.
Others have criticized Flenory for his lavish lifestyle and promotion of materialism. Flenory and the BMF were known for flaunting their wealth and often featured expensive cars, jewelry, and other luxury items in their music videos and social media posts.
Some argue that Flenory’s promotion of materialism and drug culture glamorized criminal activity and encouraged young people to engage in illegal activities.
In addition, there are questions about the fairness of Flenory’s trial and sentencing. For example, some people believe that law enforcement targeted Flenory unfairly and that the charges against him were exaggerated.
Furthermore, some individuals have criticized the severity of Flenory’s sentence, arguing that it was not proportional to his crimes and that the punishment was harsher than other criminals who committed more severe offenses.
Arrests and Felonies
The Black Mafia Family (BMF was a criminal enterprise involved in distributing illegal drugs, which was active in the United States in the mid-2000s. As a result, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) targeted the BMF and conducted several raids to arrest members and seize their assets.
In October 2005, the DEA raided and seized USD 3 million in cash, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, and weapons. In addition, they arrested 30 BMF members. Before that, the DEA had already arrested 17 BMF members and seized 632 kilograms of cocaine, USD 5.3 million in cash, and USD 5.7 million in assets.
The leaders of the BMF, Demetrius Flenory and Terry Flenory, got charged with multiple offenses, including distributing cocaine, possessing cocaine, laundering money, and possessing large amounts of cocaine. In 2006, 16 more people were charged with distributing cocaine and laundering money, bringing the total number of people authorized to 49.
The Department of Justice claimed that the BMF had been laundering money by putting drug money through banks and wiring services to hide its origin. They also said the BMF had been buying winning lottery tickets to make their money appear legitimate.
The indictment sought to remove many of the BMF’s assets, including jewelry, homes, vehicles, bank accounts, and over USD 1.2 million in cash. The government also wanted a money judgment of USD 270 million.
All defendants pleaded guilty except for one, Fleming “Ill” Daniels. The court sentenced him to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking.
Barima “Bleu DaVinci” McKnight, a rapper and the sole artist on BMF Entertainment, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison in 2008. The last remaining suspect, Vernon Marcus Coleman, was arrested for possessing cocaine and intending to sell it in 2009.
Terry Lee Flenory Instagram
Terry Flenory is active on Instagram with the username “southwest263” and has amassed an enormous following of 589k followers as of March 2023. He shares various types of content on his account, including promotional posts and personal pictures.
Terry Lee Flenory Networth
As of 2023, Terry has a net worth of approximately USD 50 million. In addition, he earns good income through business, paid promotions, BMF entertainment enterprise, etc.
