During a news conference at the RCSO South Precinct on Friday, July 23, Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree announced the culmination of a gang investigation that began in January 2018.
The sheriff said the investigation targeted an illegal street gang known as the Ghostface Gangsters.
Flanked by other elected officials, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Mayor Hardie Davis, Roundtree said 56 of 77 indicted gang offenders are in custody. An additional 10 individuals were arrested during raids. Twenty-one suspects are still being sought.
Operation Kibosh: In Custody and Wanted Targets by augustapress on Scribd
Roundtree said this is the largest gang prosecution in Georgia to this date and it brought together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
“The numbers here today are staggering, quite honestly,” Kemp said. “It’s been a long, hard-fought battle to get to this point. Gangs are the driving force behind violent crimes across our state.”
MORE: Aiken Man is Found Dead Inside Home from a Gunshot
District Attorney Jared Williams said the Ghostface Gangsters are a prison gang with roots in white supremacy.
“They have no respect for human life. They have no respect for human dignity. They have no respect for the safety of our community,” said Williams.
Sheriff Roundtree said, “We don’t want to overshadow that a white supremacy group started it, but it expanded throughout the state of Georgia.”
Charges against the arrested gang members include criminal attempt to commit murder, trafficking and distribution of heroin and methamphetamine, illegal firearms possession, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, kidnapping and sex trafficking. The suspects face a total of 136 charges.
MORE: Augusta Man Found Dead Inside Home on Telfair Street
Kemp said, “We are not going to tolerate this. Even though this is a historic day in the state, it’s still just the beginning. You can join these gangs and be part of this and we’re going to come after you. We’re going to be relentless.”
Sheriff Roundtree said, “A message to our gangbangers. Our purpose is clear and our promise is true. If you feel you must continue to engage in criminal activity in Richmond County, it’s only a matter of time before your clock strikes midnight.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”25″]
