Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Monday the indictment of 16 alleged members of the Outcast motorcycle gang, one of the groups accused in the May 13 mass shooting in Augusta.
“This is considered the largest motorcycle gang indictment in state history, and its announcement follows the culmination of Operation Patronus, a multi-agency investigation involving gangs and guns in southeast Georgia and beyond,” Carr’s office said in a statement.
Four members of the Outcast gang were charged after the May 13 incident in Augusta, in which Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said more than 150 rounds were fired. Two bikers, Germayne Farrell and Keith Coates, were killed.
Twelve people arrested after the shootout included four Outcast members who had gathered at the group’s East Augusta headquarters on Sand Bar Ferry Road. Six other suspects – from St. Marys and Kingsland in Camden County – and Hephzibah, were charged with murder and identified as members of rival gang the Thug Rider Motorcycle Club.
The Camden County investigation led to the recovery of $180,000 in cash and seizure of 71 guns, according to Carr’s office. It involved the Atlantic Circuit District Attorney, Richmond Hill Police, Army Criminal Investigation Division and other agencies.
“This historic indictment is a testament to the results we are able to achieve when all levels of law enforcement work together to do one thing – keep the people of our state safe,” Carr said.
“This operation has dismantled a serious criminal enterprise which funneled guns and drugs into our communities,” said Beau Kolodka, assistant special agent in charge with the Georgia Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Outcast gang, which has a clubhouse in East Augusta, is considered an outlaw gang, or “One-Percenter,” alongside groups such as the Hell’s Angels and the Pagans. Outcast has 67 chapters around the country, including four in Georgia, in Augusta, Hawkinsville, Atlanta and Savannah.
The indicted defendants are accused of an armed robbery attempt and shooting June 17, 2022, at a restaurant and hotel in Richmond Hill. The six victims were “persons associated with a rival motorcycle club,” according to the statement.
Evidence showed a conspiracy to “assault members of the rival motorcycle club and to forcibly rob them of their motorcycle vests,” it said.
Club members are believed to have engaged in criminal activity spanning Bryan, Chatham, Crisp, Douglas, Glynn, Liberty, McIntosh, Richmond and Colleton counties, as well as Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
Those indicted were club president Melaun Arturi Aiken, secretary Lee Alan Mole and members or associates Taurus Marquis Simmons, Terrance Donita Potter, Eddie Latson, Joseph Leeks, Marquis Jones, Michael Randolph, Donovan Scott, Shron Gilbert, Demon Thompson, Paul Golden, Theron Singleton, Labarron Pollack, Jemar Mack and Whitney Lenore Hooks.
They are charged with violating the street gang terrorism and prevention act, aggravated assault, robbery by intimidation and other offenses.
