William Chalker is approximately the 30th of more than 70 accused area Ghostface Gangsters members to have a day in court.
Chalker, 30, accepted a plea deal Thursday, and Richmond County Superior Court Judge John Flythe sentenced him to 10 years on probation and mandatory completion of the Prodigal Ministries program.
A construction worker, Chalker was facing three counts of violating the racketeer-influenced and corrupt organization act, known as RICO, each of which carried a maximum 20-year sentence.
Prosecutors said Chalker had knowingly possessed heroin and methamphetamine, considered racketeering if done in furtherance of a criminal enterprise.
Chalker was one of some 77 defendants indicted in May 2021 on RICO and other charges in “Operation Kibosh.” The three-year investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of at least 60 of the suspects in July 2021.
Called the state’s largest gang investigation ever, it was applauded by Gov. Brian Kemp and aided by the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other agencies.
Chalker was also the target, according to the 108-page indictment, of another defendant’s murder plans. Corey N. Newman is accused of looking for his residence and locating weapons to commit murder. Newman was sentenced in November to nine years in prison.
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Founded within the Georgia prison system, the Ghostface Gangsters are considered the fastest-growing white gang in the country. They are primarily comprised of white supremacists and Gangster Disciple affiliates, according to the sheriff’s office.
While none have had their charges dismissed altogether, six defendants have received probation only. They include Juanita Williams, who was sentenced to 15 years of probation. Three received 10 years on probation and two got a five-year probated sentence.
The rest already sentenced will spend time in a state prison, such as Rex Stewart, who was sentenced to 15 years plus five on probation.
In addition to the RICO charges, Stewart and co-defendant Cyndi Bowen were accused of shooting at a sheriff’s deputy, possessing a firearm by a felon and possession of methamphetamine.
Three other defendants, Donna Long, Joshua Josey and Kyla Deangelo, have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. The others already sentenced received between one and nine years in prison.
Of those remaining, at least 20 are out on bond while approximately 20 are incarcerated at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
Staff reporter Janell Williams contributed to this report.
