LeBron James angered NBA fans on Thursday when he congratulated a convicted drug trafficker on his release from prison.
Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, co-founder of the infamous Black Mafia Family (BMF) drug trafficking organization, was transferred to a residential reentry program in Miami this week, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
And after that news came out, Lakers star James took to social media to write ‘Welcome home Big Meech!!’ with a greeting emoji.
Given Flenory’s criminal record — he was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison after a 2008 conviction for drug trafficking and money laundering — many fans dismissed James’ post.
“Glorifying the wrong people,” one person wrote.
LeBron James was criticized for welcoming a convicted drug trafficker home from prison
Demetrius Flenory was sentenced to 30 years in prison for setting up a criminal enterprise
“Lebron supports drug dealers?!?!?!?! Not my goat,” another added.
“You are so desperate to seem cool and pathetic,” wrote another.
A fourth referenced James’ numerous endorsement deals and said: ‘Easy, Bron. You have sponsors.’
Flenory had founded BMF in 1985 as a creative agency and music label with his brother Terry Lee, also known as ‘Southwest Tee’, and the pair were embraced by hip-hop culture.
However, federal agents determined in 2000 that the company was a front for a nationwide cocaine trafficking and money laundering scheme in which the brothers raked in more than $270 million.
The DEA later conducted a large-scale raid in 2005, arresting thirty members of the operation.
The Flenory brothers ultimately pleaded guilty to operating a continuing criminal enterprise “involving the large-scale distribution of cocaine in the United States from 1990 through 2005,” according to court documents.
He had founded Big Mafia Family, also known as BMF, in 1985 as a creative agency and hip-hop label with his brother Terry Lee, also known as ‘Southwest Tee’.
His son, Demetrius Flenory Jr., later played him in the Starz TV series ‘BMF’
The siblings’ story was later brought to TV by rapper 50 Cent on Starz in the eight-episode series “BMF” in 2021. The series, which aired for two more seasons, delves into the brothers’ backstory from the eighty when they left the series. Downtown Detroit to become wealthy drug lords embraced by hip-hop culture.
Brittany K. Barnett, who represented Flenory, says he “has used his time in prison to focus on personal growth and transformation, and now he has the opportunity to start a new chapter.
“He’s out, but millions of others are still trapped; there is still so much work to be done. We must push for real change, for a justice system that recognizes the dignity and potential for redemption in every individual.”
According to the federal prison website, Flenory’s sentence ends on January 27, 2026.