Three men were arrested after deputies say two of them killed another man as part of a plan to rob him for cash to use as a prop in a rap concert.

Joseph Gomes Brandon Jr., 18; Jonathan Felix, 21; and Dylan Kindred, 20, were arrested Saturday in connection with the death of 21-year-old Tyler Macklin.

  • Victim's body found last Wednesday night in Winter Haven
  • 3 charged in deadly plot to rob man for cash to use as rap show prop
  • Deputies say 2 suspects robbed the man and shot him

Brandon and Felix are facing charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, armed burglary and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Felix is facing additional charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and violation of probation.

Kindred is facing a charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, deputies found Macklin's body shortly after 11 p.m. last Wednesday at 1244 Tangerine Parkway NE in Winter Haven. He had been shot to death.

Investigators later interviewed Kindred, who told them he was driving through Winter Haven that evening with two other men who he knew as "Killa" and "Waxx," later identified, respectively, as Felix and Gomes-Brandon.

While the men were driving, they discussed their need to obtain a large amount of currency so they could "flash cash" while performing in a rap show scheduled in Tampa for the following night, investigators say.

"They needed some cash because the next night, which would've been Thursday night, they were going to Club Sky in Ybor City to perform," Sheriff Grady Judd said Monday during a press conference.  "They are an informal rap group with no name. I certainly can give them a name today. How about the Jailhouse Bunch?"

The men didn't have enough money of their own to be able to "flash and demonstrate their desired level of affluence," deputies say, so they decided to rob someone.

Kindred said he suggested they rob Macklin, who they thought would be an "easy lick," investigators said.

"Dylan said, 'Hey, I just bought some marijuana from a guy a couple of weeks ago who, he'll be an easy lick,' " Judd said.

Tyler Macklin's body was found in a home on Tangerine Parkway last Wednesday night. He had been shot to death. (Ryan Macklin)

He then drove his girlfriend's blue Honda Civic to Macklin's residence. While they were driving, Kindred told investigators that he noticed Gomez-Brandon had a 9mm handgun. Kindred said they were only supposed to steal money and drugs from Macklin, not hurt him, investigators said.

Kindred parked the Civic in front of a house next door to Macklin's house and stayed in the car while Felix and Gomes-Brandon kicked in the front door of Macklin's house, deputies say.

Kindred said that shortly after he saw Felix and Gomes-Brandon go in the house, he heard a gunshot, then saw the suspects run out of the house, investigators said.

The suspects got in the Civic, and Kindred drove away. Kindred told investigators that when the other two suspects got in the car after the shooting, they had Macklin's wallet, $300 and a second firearm that was stolen from Macklin.

Macklin's brother, Ryan, said he doesn't understand why his brother was killed over $300.

"Tyler was a real fun loving person, always smiling and would've gave his shirt off his back for you," he said. "And if those guys asked for the money, he would've gave it to them."

All three suspects were taken into custody without further incident.