 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2015) |
| Founded | 1952 (Simon City) 1969 (Simon City Royals)[1] |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.[1] |
| Years active | 1952–present |
| Ethnicity | White American[1] |
| Leader(s) | Wisconsin Olie Olsen |
| Activities | Drug trafficking, human trafficking, robbery, burglary, murder[2] |
| Allies | Folk Nation[1] Gangster Disciples[2] |
| Rivals | Latin Kings[3] People Nation[1] Spanish Cobras[4] Vice Lords[5] Chicago Gaylords |
The Simon City Royals, also known as the Almighty Simon City Royal Nation, are a street and prison gang which began in Chicago during 1952 as Simon City, a greaser gang. They named themselves for Simons Park, which is located on the corner of Drake and Wabansia in the Humboldt Park neighborhood where they originally formed. The gang had a major influence on other gangs around Chicago and the wider gang culture in Humboldt Park. The Royals are one of the oldest and largest white gangs in the US.[6]
The Royals are heavily involved in the dealing of illegal drugs and other contraband, particularly in prisons where members are incarcerated. They have successfully bribed a prison guard in Milwaukee to smuggle drugs into an institution and are involved in racketeering[7] and loan sharking.[8] The gang has expanded to other states, and is one of the fastest-growing gangs in Mississippi.[9]
- ^ a b c d e Dangerous, growing, yet unnoticed: the rise of America's white gangs Donna Ladd, The Guardian (April 5, 2018)
- ^ a b Community help movement ripped straight from gang literature Therese Apel, WLBT (November 3, 2019)
- ^ People v. Shlimon casetext.com (July 17, 1992)
- ^ People v. Georgakopoulos illinoiscourts.gov (March 16, 1999)
- ^ People v. Daheya FindLaw (November 8, 2013)
- ^ Ladd, Donna (April 5, 2018). "Dangerous, growing, yet unnoticed: the rise of America's white gangs". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
- ^ "Alleged Members of the Simon City Royals Indicted on Federal Racketeering Chargers" (Press release). United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
- ^ Stephenson, Crocker (August 3, 2009). "Guard gets probation in Simon City Royals case". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- ^ Beveridge, Lici (October 18, 2019). "Lisa Ling came to Mississippi to document the Simon City Royals. Here's what she learned". Hattiesburg American. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.