UPDATE | Operation 30906 puts 27 people behind bars
Friday, December 14, 2018
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Eight of the 27 people accused of state and federal crimes were in court on Friday.
All eight were read their indictments and pleaded not guilty. Records indicate some of the accused are facing a minimum of 5 years while others are facing up to life in prison.
- Bond set at $250,000
- 1 count of firearm possession
- Bond set at 1 million dollars
- 1 count distribuion of cocaine
- 1 count firearm possesson during drug traffic
- 1 count possession of a firearm
- Bond set at $500,000
- 1 count maintaining drugs involved premises
- 1 count intent to distribute 50 gram s or more of Meth
- 1 county possessing of firearm duringdrug traffic
- 1 count possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
- Bond set $250,000
- 1 count possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
- Bond set at 1 million dollars
- 1 count intent to distribute cocaine and marjuana
- 1 count possessing a firearm during during drug traffic
- 1 count possessionof a firearm by prohibited person
- Bond set at 1 million dollars
- 1 count distribution of meth 50 grams or more
- 1 count firearm and ammunition possession by a prohibited person exceeding 1 year last conviction
- 1 count possessing a firearm during drug traffic
- Bond set at $250,000
- 1 count possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
Five others were arraigned on Wednesday, December 12.
Drequan Gray
Marquis Jones
Charles King
Michelle Davis
Lequita Brady
News 12 will continue to follow this story and update you with the latest as it becomes available.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
News 12 at 11
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The FBI and Richmond County Deputies team up to put 27 accused criminals behind bars.
A massive law enforcement operation ends with these 27 people behind bars, facing federal and state charges.
The FBI, the sheriff's office and the U.S. Attorney's Office say this is a big win for Richmond County.
Statistically speaking, Sheriff Roundtree says they've seen a drop in violent crimes in the 30906 area code over the past couple of years.
He also says this isn't the last we'll see this partnership at work.
"We will find you, we will arrest you and we will put you in prison," said Bobby L. Christine, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Operation 30906 is not messing around.
"The 30906 zip code holds less than 30% of the city's residents, but criminals there commit nearly 40% of the cities major crimes," said Christine.
Christine says they're determined to clean up the violent crime here.
"We can reassure our community that their safety is our primary goal and to let those who would disrupt our neighborhoods know that we will not tolerate illegal enterprises," said Christine.
The first big bust for this partnership was back in September.
Nine members of the sex, money, murder gang were arrested.
"The pattern and the frame work is there with our federal partners so each time we do it we get better at it, and that for a criminal, that should be scary to them," said Sheriff Richard Roundtree, with the RCSO.
This is proof.
A four-month investigation puts these 27 people, no stranger to crime, behind bars and indicted.
Most of them are facing federal charges for gun crimes.
"Among the individuals arrested this morning a number were violent, some were gang members,” said Jim Hurley, the FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge. “These were people that were predators on the streets. And today should make the streets safer."
The sheriff's office also seized at least 29 illegal weapons, drugs including cocaine, meth, and marijuana along with counterfeit money and the equipment used to make it.
And they're not finished yet.
Sheriff Roundtree made it a point to tell criminals he's coming for you.
We're starting to see more of this with the feds and local guys teaming up.
What's working here can work in other cities too.
That's why the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be in Swainsboro tomorrow training local law enforcement.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRWD/WAGT) – The U.S. District Court in Augusta has charged dozens of people with violations of federal narcotics and firearms possession laws.
The operation made up local, state and federal agencies through made 27 indictments all people from this area.
Most of them are facing federal prosecution for gun crimes.
Attorney Bobby L. Christine says if those arrested for federal charges are convicted, that will keep them off the streets for a long time.
All of those named in the federal indictments have prior felony convictions and now face charges ranging from possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, to possession of firearms by convicted felons or those conducting drug crimes.
One defendant is also charged with counterfeiting United States currency. Cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana were seized during the operation, along with at least 29 firearms and approximately $1,000 in counterfeit money.
The defendants charged are:
Lequita Brady, 29, Augusta
Jeffrey Brown, 46, Augusta
Alphonso Burley, 27, Augusta
Quinton Clayton, 24, Augusta
Marty Copeland, 44, Augusta
Adrian Curry, 39, Augusta
Michelle Davis, 29, Augusta
Jarhmal Gibson, 30, Augusta
Drequan Gray, 24, Augusta
Anthony Habersham, 54, Augusta
Marquis Jones, 29, Augusta
Charles King, 36, Hephzibah
Dustin McClellan, 23, Augusta
Von McNeely, 31, Augusta
Keto “Silk” Morgan, 37, Augusta
Matthew Nattinger, 39, Augusta
Kaone Riley, 29, Allendale, S.C.
Alvin Sturgis, 31, Augusta
Tomario “Jabo” Thomas, 31, Augusta
Dana Williams, 34, Augusta.
Additional defendants arrested during Operation 30906 face state charges, including aggravated assault, armed robbery, kidnapping and firearms offenses.
Those arrested includes:
Terry Stanley, 40, Augusta
Shawn Khaaliq Holliman, 20, Augusta
Deondre Ware, 25, Augusta
Marqueen Mays, 33, Hephzibah
Alvin Bell, 20, Augusta
Makale Austin Jones, 19, Augusta
Devonte Bryant, 19, Augusta
The federal office will be having a meeting in Swainsboro tomorrow to help other counties strengthen their law enforcement.
News 12 will have more on this story.
