Friday March 29th, 2024 10:12AM

Gwinnett County Police investigation 25 arrests, 210-counts gang-related charges

By Joy Holmes Multimedia Journalist

A year-long investigation by the Gwinnett Police Gang Unit led to a 210-count indictment against 26 people, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department.

The investigation was conducted by the Gwinnett County Police Department with help from the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office, Gwinnett Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, United States Marshals Service, Dekalb County Police Department Gang Unit, Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, Dekalb County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Twenty-five of [the 26 defendants] have been arrested and we do still have one outstanding,” Spokesperson Hideshi Valle with the Gwinnett County Police Department said.

Khari Kelley, 22, of Decatur, also known as ‘RX Yano,’ has an active felony warrant in relation to the case.  The whereabouts of Kelley are unknown, and police ask anyone with information to contact GCPD detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters may remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit the organization online. Crime Stoppers tipsters may receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

“The gang investigation started after a multiple of calls on Boggs Road were linked to two different gangs, Blixtz Gang and 56 Gang,” Valle said.

According to officials, there were multiple shooting cases in August 2021 on Boggs Rd. in Duluth that led investigators to ongoing violence between the two gangs.

“On August 29, 2021, [members of the] 56 Gang shot and killed Jeremiah Pretto, an 18-year-old male from Duluth. While investigating Pretto’s murder, numerous violent crimes were linked to the 56 Gang. These included multiple armed robberies, carjackings, aggravated assaults and more,” Gwinnett County Officials said in a release Friday.  

The case turned into a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) investigation against the 56 Gang and several members were charged with violent cases in December 2021. At that time, investigators also discovered 56 Gang was working in conjunction with Drug Rixh Gang and several members of both gangs were charged for committing criminal gang activity, officials said.

The following gang leaders along with 22 other gang members were indicted January 25, 2023:

56 Gang leaders:

  • Ladavion ‘Chicago’ Smith, 22, of Lawrenceville
  • Cameron ‘XG’ Hamilton, 18, of Clarkston

Drug Rixh Gang leaders:

  • Dalemonte Neshawn ‘Drug Rixh Hect’ Stilley, 24, of Stone Mountain
  • Zaion Sharif ‘Drug Rixh Peso’ Martinez, 27, of Stone Mountain  

The 210-count indictments include violations of the RICO Act, violations of the Gang Act, malice murder, felony murder, multiple counts of armed robbery, multiple counts of hijacking a motor vehicle, multiple counts of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, various firearms offenses and more. Crimes were committed across the Metro Atlanta area and were charged in jurisdictions as far as Carroll County, according to officials.

“Violence and criminal street gang activity affects our families, schools and communities, and anyone that participates in the acts of violence or criminal gang activity will be arrested, charged, and prosecuted,” Valle said. “Gwinnett County Police is working diligently with the district attorney’s office on these cases with successful prosecution.”

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News
  • Associated Tags: Gwinnett County, gwinnett county police, gang activity
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