Tamarious “Poogi” Faulkner, 28, a Houston man and leader of the violent Jackson, Michigan-based street gang “Thorough Bread Family” (TBF), pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving the distribution of over 400 grams of fentanyl in a federal court in Michigan last Tuesday.
Faulkner admitted to leading a network that trafficked a distinct form of fentanyl, sold in a rock-like crystalline form, often in various colors such as yellow, purple, or blue. In addition to the fentanyl, the gang was found to possess firearms, including machine guns, used to safeguard their illicit operations.
Faulkner is one of seven individuals connected to TBF to be sentenced for drug trafficking. Other gang members include Demond Johns, Dominique Faulkner, Zaire Faulkner, Demarquan Smith, Tommy Owens, and Mario Murguia, all of whom face significant prison terms. Faulkner faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with the potential for life imprisonment.
The case has been a significant win for the Jackson community, with officials emphasizing the importance of continuing efforts to dismantle gangs that bring violence and drugs to neighborhoods. Faulkner’s sentencing is scheduled for April 29, 2025, before Judge Stephen J. Murphy III.
This investigation was conducted by the ATF, Michigan State Police, Jackson Police Department, and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Picek, Matthew Roth, and Craig Welkener.
