STAFF REPORT :::
Dozens of arrests have been made in connection with what the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office describes as a series of gang related incidents in which people, homes and vehicles have been shot in both the city of Griffin and Spalding County.
Officials say these shooting incidents have been random but related to criminal street gang activity.
In response to these incidents, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office from Jan. 13 through 22, conducted Operation Zero Tolerance, targeting those responsible for these shooting incidents and those who frequent locations where gang and drug activity is negatively affecting people living in those communities.
Operation Zero Tolerance included agents from the SCSO Special Operations and STING units and the Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Gang Unit.
Over the course of the nine-day operation, 36 people were arrested on charges ranging from violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act to weapons, narcotics, theft and other charges.
Nine search warrants were executed, and eight firearms were recovered.
Investigators say cocaine, methamphetamine, GHB, marijuana, cash and two vehicles used to facilitate crimes were seized.
These incidents have correlated with an increase in firearms being stolen from vehicles, authorities say.
“Yes, we did target gang members and other criminals and we charged them with everything we lawfully could. Why should we go easy on criminals when they don’t go easy on their victims? Their own free choices and criminal behavior put them in this position, and it’s their responsibility to face the consequences of those choices, no one else’s. Their choices directly affected the quality of life of their victims and other innocent people,” said Sheriff Darrell Dix. “We intentionally targeted and will continue to target documented gang members of the Zoo Krew, Bloods, Crips, Ghostface Gangsters, YNKE, and Gangster Disciples, and others who commit robberies, thefts, acts of violence, and intimidate people who just want to be safe in their own homes. Additionally, this time we didn’t just target them, we also targeted people who commit other crimes and bring more crime into these neighborhoods. This is not about who you are, what you look like, who you hang out with, or who your friends are. It’s about standing up, supporting, and protecting the rights of good, honest, law-abiding folks that are fed up with gang members shooting at each other, houses, and cars in the neighborhoods. This operation was a result of people reaching out to us for help. They are tired of criminals who don’t even live in their neighborhoods bringing in crime through gang activity, the trade of stolen property, guns, and illegal narcotics.”
Those arrested include:
Andretius Martin, who is charged with two counts of violation of Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, carrying a concealed weapon and theft by receiving stolen firearm;
Donald Colquitt Jr., who is charged with two counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, violation of probation and obstruction of an officer;
Taress Turnipseed, who is charged with violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, theft by receiving stolen firearm and carrying concealed weapon;
Shavaurio Thomas, who is charged with three counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana less than ounce, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime;
Jordan Thomas, who is charged with three counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of crime and possession of pistol by minor;
Zashun Hood, who is charged with two counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug related objects and loitering;
Ricky Nelson, who is charged with two counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute to methamphetamine, illegal use of communication facility and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine in a public park;
Paul Pack, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, sale of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule 1 narcotic, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of drug related objects and traffic offenses;
David Buice, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, driving while license suspended (habitual violator), possession of drug related objects, reckless driving, failure to yield, failure to maintain lane, obstruction of officers and seatbelt violation;
Japoey Fears, who is charged with criminal attempt/conspiracy to sell cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and obstruction of officers;
Travis Hoard, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug related objects and driving on suspended license;
Christopher Jordan, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects and traffic offenses;
Jaimi Mayfield, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects and traffic offenses;
Jerald Clemmons, who is charged with possession of cocaine, crossing the guard line with an illegal substance and violation of probation;
Ricky McCrary, who is charged with possession of cocaine; possession of marijuana less than an ounce and traffic violation;
Deonte Henley, who is charged with felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule 2 narcotic, possession of Schedule 2 narcotic with intent to distribute and traffic offense;
James Powell, who is charged with theft by receiving stolen vehicle, theft by receiving stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and possession of drug related objects;
Tremayne Pender, who is charged with felony possession of marijuana and traffic violation;
Timothy Mortimer Jr., who is charged with theft by receiving stolen firearm;
Helen Carroll, who is charged with possession of Schedule 1 narcotic and a bench warrant;
Tedrick Warner, who is charged with theft by receiving stolen property and possession of drug related objects;
Lakeisha Ogletree, who is charged with two counts theft, false name and date of birth and possession of drug related objects;
Jennie Ryan, who is charged with possession of drug related objects;
Shannon Eaton, who is charged with battery under the Georgia Family Violence Act, aggravated assault, and interference with 911 call;
Destiny Yarbrough, who is charged with outstanding warrant from Hapeville, leaving scene of accident, and two counts of obstruction of officers;
George Sanford, who is charged with simple assault;
Javon Franks, who is charged with violation of probation and false name and date of birth;
Korde Watkins, who is charged with violation of probation and false name and date of birth;
Brandon Lewis, who is charged with violation of probation and obstruction of an officer;
Jartavious Troutman, who is charged with violation of probation;
Jacob Henley, who is charged with violation of probation;
Carlos Elder, who is charged with driving while license suspended;
Ky’monta Boston, who was arrested on a bench warrant;
James Evans Sr., who was arrested on a bench warrant;
Henrietta Heard, who was arrested on a charge of loitering; and
Ida Shultz, who was charged with violation of probation.
Still being sought by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office as a result of Operation Zero Tolerance is:
Carlos Forney, who is wanted on two counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, felony
possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug related objects and loitering;
Zavius Matthews, who is wanted on charges of aggravated assault, battery family violence, cruelty to children and obstruction of officers;
Brandon Thomas, who is wanted on two counts of violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a
firearm during the commission of a crime, obstruction of officers, reckless driving, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, abandonment of dangerous drugs and a bench warrant;
Adrian Fish, who is wanted for violation of the Georgia criminal street gang act, simple battery and criminal trespass; and
John Kemp, who is wanted for battery under the Georgia Family Violence Act, violation of probation, obstruction of officers and traffic offenses.
“If you are a gang member or condone or defend their conduct, it may be time for you to re-evaluate things before it directly affects you or your family. Just listen to recent news reports where families and parents are mourning the deaths of innocent people, usually children, caused by senseless gang violence. If you don’t listen and stop you’ve got a long bumpy road ahead of you that will eventually lead to jail like the ones on this list, or worse. Don’t do that to your families or innocent victim’s families,” Dix said. “This is not the end by a long shot. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office will continue focusing on these problems. In this case the only answer that these criminals will ever understand is jail and prison. As we have always done, we will continue to listen to, communicate with, and work side by side with the communities we serve.”
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