ATLANTA — Demetrius Flenory, also known as Big Meech, is out of federal prison after being behind bars since 2008. Demetrius Flenory and his brother, Terry Flenory, ran one of the country’s largest drug operations during the late 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
With the drug operation, the Flenorys expanded into entertainment making a big mark on the industry.
“Meech and them figured that out. It didn’t take much from them to figure out how to produce and export aspects of Black popular culture," said Georgia State University Historian Dr. Maurice Hobson
In 2006, they were indicted in a federal RICO case originating out of Georgia and ultimately convicted.
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“BMF was the first group that accused of being a criminal organization and record label," said Attorney Josh Schiffer Chanco Schiffer.
Schiffer said Big Meech is widely respected by many because of how he handled the case.
“He went down. And when he went down him and his brother were sentenced to 30 years in prison," he said.
In 2020, Terry Flenory was released but just this week, Big Meech was released and will serve the remainder of his sentence at a halfway house.
Rick Wershe, known as White Boy Rick, who had his own run-ins with the law, appeared in a documentary about the brothers.
“He shouldn’t have been in prison this long. I think people are going to be surprised by the things he’s able to accomplish," Wershe said.
Since the news that Big Meech would be released, celebrities, including LeBron James, have shared reactions on social media.
"Welcome Home Big Meech," the basketball star shared on the X platform.