Joint operation charges 27 from high-crime area

Federal, state and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors joined forces once again in a new crime-fighting effort called Operation 30906, which follows the September announcement of the operation to take down the Sex, Money and Murder street gang in Augusta.

The 30906 ZIP code area of south Augusta accounts for about 40 percent of what the FBI classifies as the most serious crimes committed in Augusta, although only about 30 percent of the city's population lives there, U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine said at a news conference Tuesday announcing the joint operation. It's not that the area is overrun with criminals, he said. It is relatively few people committing the most crimes, he said.

Federal and state charges were filed Tuesday against 27 people accused of committing crimes in the 30906 area. By working together, prosecutors determine which system – federal or state – could provide the longest prison terms. It won't be the last joint operation, District Attorney Natalie Paine said.

Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree called it an exciting time for Augusta to have officers from different agencies working together. Part of the goal is also to show people in the community that they can trust law enforcement to work with them to eliminate crime, especially violent crimes in the community.

"It gives the people power," he said.

In addition to the arrests, Operation 30906 led to the seizure of 29 weapons from people legally prohibited from possessing firearms, as well as cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, counterfeit money and the equipment used to make counterfeit money, Christine said.

Agencies participating in the operation included the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Secret Service; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; the Richmond County Sheriff's Office; the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Charged in federal indictments are:

– Lequita Brady, 29, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Jeffrey Brown, 46, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Alphonso Burley, 27, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Quinton Clayton, 24, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Marty Copeland, 44, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Adrian Curry, 39, Augusta, felon in possession of a firearm

– Michelle Davis, 29, Augusta, maintaining drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Jarhmal Gibson, 30, Augusta, felon in possession of a firearm

– Drequan Gray, 24, Augusta, felon in possession of a firearm

– Anthony Habersham, 54, Augusta, felon in possession of a firearm

– Marquis Jones, 29, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Charles King, 36, Hephzibah, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking

– Dustin McClellan, 23, Augusta, felon in possession of a firearm

– Von McNeely, 31, Augusta, felon in possession of a firearm

– Keto “Silk” Morgan, 37, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Matthew Nattinger, 39, Augusta, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

– Kaone Riley, 29, Allendale, S.C., two counts felon in possession of a firearm

– Alvin Sturgis, 31, Augusta, felon in possession of a firearm

– Tomario “Jabo” Thomas, 31, Augusta, manufacturing counterfeit reserved notes, possession of counterfeit reserved notes, felon in possession of a firearm

– Dana Williams, 34, Augusta, maintaining drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearm in drug trafficking, felon in possession of firearm

Named in state charges are:

– Terry Stanley, 40, Augusta, aggravated assault, weapon violations

– Shawn Khaaliq Holliman, 20, Augusta, aggravated assault, weapon violations

– Deondre Ware, 25, Augusta, four counts armed robbery, two counts kidnapping, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault, and eight weapon violations

– Marqueen Mays, 33, Hephzibah, aggravated assault, weapon violation

– Alvin Bell, 20, Augusta, aggravated assault, weapon violation, third-degree arson, possession of item with altered ID mark

– Makale Austin Jones, 19, Augusta, robbery

– Devonte Bryant, 19, Augusta, two counts aggravated assault and weapon violations