New Gang Prosecution Unit indicts seven alleged Athens gang members

Attorney General Chris Carr’s statewide Gang Prosecution Unit on Tuesday, Oct. 4 indicted seven Athens-Clarke County alleged gang members.

 

The suspects are members of the Red Tape Gang, according to authorities, and have engaged in repeated criminal activities in furtherance of the gang. The Red Tape Gang is a local hybrid gang with ties to major national Bloods, including Sex Money Murder and the Rollin’ 20s.

 

The Red Tape Gang members’ indictments are unrelated to three other indictments that were issued on Oct. 4 for two members of the 1-8 Trey Bloods.

 

“With our new Gang Prosecution Unit, we are dedicating every resource available to disrupting the growing gang networks that are terrorizing our communities,” Carr said in a press release. “This is our fourth indictment out of Athens and a product of our strong partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement as we work together to protect our fellow citizens. All Georgians – no matter where they live – deserve to be safe, and we will continue fighting to root out gang activity in every corner of our state.”

 

The seven Red Tape Gang members are facing 53 charges in total that stem from their alleged involvement in a victim’s assault and robbery in August 2022 at a convenience store on Clayton Street. Many of the charges include violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

 

Miquan “Roadrunner” Pittard is charged with 5 counts of violation of street gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 count of robbery by force, 1 count of aggravated assault and 1 count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Pittard faces a potential maximum penalty of 140 years in prison.

 

Raekwon “Osama” Smith is charged with 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 count of robbery by force and 1 count of aggravated assault. Smith faces a potential maximum penalty of 120 years in prison.

 

Antonio “Bone” Thomas, Jr. is charged with 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 count of robbery by force and 1 count of aggravated assault. Thomas faces a potential maximum penalty of 120 years in prison.

 

Kentrevis “Ken” Daniel is charged with 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 count of robbery by force and 1 count of aggravated assault. Daniel faces a potential maximum penalty of 120 years in prison.

 

Jyterious “Rarri” Turner is charged with 7 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 count of robbery by force, 1 count of aggravated assault, 1 count of possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute and 1 count of possession of firearm during commission of a felony. Turner faces a potential maximum penalty of 155 years in prison.

 

Dedrique “Rexkless” Baughns is charged with 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 count of robbery by force, 1 count of aggravated assault and 1 count of possession of a stolen firearm. Baughns faces a potential maximum penalty of 130 years in prison.

 

Jaylan “Lil Jay” Martin is charged with 6 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 count of robbery by force, 1 count of aggravated assault and 1 count of possession of firearm during commission of a felony. Martin faces a potential maximum penalty of 125 years in prison.

 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department assisted in the investigation.

 

Carr, Gov. Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly created the first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit, which officially began its work on July 1, 2022. 

 

The Gang Prosecution Unit is housed in the Attorney General’s Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and his Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit.