The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has increased efforts to curb street gang activity in the jurisdiction, arresting 10 gang members in the last two weeks.
Last week, three known gang members - two from Athens and one from Statham - were arrested after authorities found them in possession of weapons in violation of their probation.
A press release issued by the department identified the suspects as Rodarius Travell Favors, 29, and Fredrick Heard, 19, both of Athens, and Demarco Maurice Hardy, 19, of Statham.
Favors was charged with felony probation violation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was on probation for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Authorities said he has violated terms of his probation six times. At the time of his arrest, Favors was out of jail on bond for violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and affray. He was in possession of three firearms at the time of his arrest.
Heard was charged with felony probation violation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was on probation for aggravated assault. Authorities recovered one firearm during Heard's arrest.
Hardy was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and failure to maintain lane. He was out of jail on bond for possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, carrying a weapon without a license and driving on a suspended license.
ACCPD said along with making 10 arrests in the last two weeks, officers have seized a total of nine firearms, along with illegal drugs and stolen property.
The ACCPD Gang Unit, ACCPD’s Uniform Patrol Division, FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force have assisted with the initiative.
ACCPD is encouraging anyone in the community who has information about criminal street gang activity to call the ACCPD Crime Tip Line at 706-705-4775 or email the Gang Unit at [email protected].
