Authorities say a coordinated gang enforcement operation led to multiple arrests, the seizure of large amounts of drugs and cash, and the takedown of a suspected gang leader tied to criminal activity across Augusta and Grovetown.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced that investigators arrested three men connected to the street gang known as Youngins with Money, or YWM, following the execution of multiple search warrants in Augusta and Grovetown.
Investigators seized about 30 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, more than $211,000 in cash, and numerous gang related items. Among the evidence recovered were custom rugs, necklaces, and other jewelry openly displaying the gang’s name and symbols, items investigators say were used to promote and identify the group.
Arrested in the operation were: Mikael Javaro Williams, charged with trafficking in marijuana and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; De’Ante Cannon, identified by investigators as the suspected leader of Youngins with Money, charged with trafficking in marijuana, unlawful participation in street gang activity, and obstruction of law enforcement, and Kareem Levon Butler, charged with trafficking in marijuana.
Search warrants were carried out at multiple locations in Richmond County and Grovetown with assistance from the Grovetown Police Department, sheriff’s office narcotics investigators, gang unit officers, special operations teams, and K9 units.
According to the sheriff’s office, Youngins with Money has been under investigation for months due to its involvement in violent crimes, illegal firearms, and large scale drug trafficking throughout the CSRA. Investigators say enforcement actions over the course of the investigation have resulted in the seizure of dozens of firearms, large quantities of drugs, and significant cash believed to be used to fund gang operations.
Sheriff Eugene Brantley said the arrests represent a major disruption to the group’s leadership and financial resources, though investigators acknowledge the gang has not been fully dismantled.
Official RCSO press release:
On the evening of Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit, Narcotics Division, Special Operations Crime Suppression and K9 Teams, in coordination with the Grovetown Police Department, executed multiple search warrants targeting violent criminal street gang activity connected to Youngins with Money (Y.W.M.).
Search warrants were executed at 2353 Henry Circle in Augusta, 1425 Feldspar Court in Augusta, and 1012 Candleberry Drive in Grovetown. During these operations, investigators seized approximately 30 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, multiple gang related items of evidentiary value, and $211,166 in U.S. currency. As a result of the coordinated enforcement operation, the suspected leader of Youngins with Money, De’Ante Cannon, along with two associates, was taken into custody and charged as follows.
Mikael Javaro Williams was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Marijuana and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
De’Ante Cannon was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Marijuana, Unlawful Participation in Street Gang Activity, and Obstruction of Law Enforcement.
Kareem Levon Butler was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Marijuana.
Chief Lewis Blanchard stated, “Last night’s arrests were another step in the right direction for Augusta and the entire CSRA. These results reflect the tireless work of our investigators and the strength of our partnerships. We greatly appreciate the assistance and coordination with the Grovetown Police Department and Chief Jamey Kitchens. Grovetown is a great partner that works closely with us to reduce gangs, drugs, sex trafficking, and the exploitation of minors throughout our region.”
Beginning in February 2025, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office identified and initiated an extensive investigation into a violent criminal street gang operating in Augusta known as Youngins with Money (Y.W.M.). Intelligence gathered during the investigation revealed that members and associates of Y.W.M. were actively involved in violent offenses, illegal possession of firearms, and large-scale narcotics trafficking and distribution throughout Richmond County.
In response, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit launched a long term, in depth investigation targeting the gang’s members, associates, leadership structure, and criminal operations. As the investigation progressed, numerous enforcement actions were taken to disrupt and weaken the organization.
On March 12, 2025, two members of Y.W.M. were arrested after investigators located a large quantity of marijuana inside their vehicle on the 1800 block of Tubman Home Road in Augusta.
On September 18, 2025, investigators arrested two additional members after locating nine firearms, marijuana, and oxycodone pills inside a residence on Brookshire Drive in Augusta.
On September 30, 2025, a Richmond County Superior Court grand jury returned a 42 count indictment against 11 defendants, charging members and associates of Y.W.M. with multiple violations of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, along with related violent crime and firearm offenses.
On October 1, 2025, three associates of Y.W.M. were arrested after firearms and marijuana were discovered inside two vehicles on the 3500 block of Jonathan Circle in Augusta.
On October 8, 2025, a member of Y.W.M. was arrested on multiple outstanding warrants connected to a shooting that occurred on the 1800 block of Marvin Griffin Road in Augusta. Additional weapons charges were filed after a stolen firearm was recovered from a residence on Columbine Drive.
On October 23, 2025, a member of Y.W.M., along with two associates, was arrested on outstanding warrants and charged with weapons and narcotics offenses after a firearm and marijuana were discovered inside a residence at 400 Sunflower Drive in Augusta.
On December 12, 2025, a member of Y.W.M. was arrested after investigators located a large quantity of marijuana inside his vehicle on the 3600 block of Windsor Spring Road in Augusta.
Since January 2025, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit has arrested multiple members and associates of Y.W.M. These enforcement actions have resulted in the seizure of 20 firearms, approximately 41 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, oxycodone pills, and a substantial amount of U.S. currency used to fund gang related criminal activity.
While the criminal street gang Youngins with Money has not been completely dismantled, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has significantly disrupted and weakened the organization by removing key leadership, seizing illegal firearms and narcotics, and eliminating critical financial resources.
Sheriff Eugene Brantley stated, “I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, along with our partners at the Grovetown Police Department and Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr along with his statewide Gang Prosecution Unit for their outstanding work and professionalism. These cases require patience, coordination, and commitment. Our partnerships are making Augusta safer for everyone. Gang life is a dead-end street, and while we are committed to prevention through alternative programs and direct engagement with our youth, gang activity, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and the violence associated with gangs will not be tolerated in Richmond County or the CSRA.”
