AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — Twenty-five suspected gang members are in jail after investigators served 34 search warrants Friday morning. It’s all part of a two-year investigation into a gang called the Old Savannah or “OS gang.”

Old Savannah Road is an area that Sheriff Richard Roundtree says was the home of extensive criminal activities in Augusta, responsible for violent crimes, drugs, and drug trafficking.

“Several years ago, we announced that we were going to take a more comprehensive approach in combating and prosecuting against drugs and street gangs in Richmond County,” said Roundtree.

During Friday’s news conference, Sheriff Roundtree says a two-year investigation into The OS Gang, and The Rico Burnett Drug Trafficking Gang is complete.

“This is a continuation of our commitment to the disruption and dismantling of illegal guns and drug trafficking organizations in our community,” explained Roundtree.

Thirty-four search warrants were issued, and 25 people were arrested, with more to come. Investigators seized more than $32,193, 34 firearms, four grams of cocaine, 18 pounds of marijuana, 26 grams of MDMA, and other assets.

“If you continue to sell narcotics and illegal guns in this community, your turn is coming,” expressed Roundtree.

According to the sheriff, this was no small operation; the investigation stretched into Savannah, Aiken, and Barnwell. The FBI, ATF, DEA, and even Augusta University were apart of the task.

Sheriff Roundtree says he hopes these arrests send the message to the people who live on Old Savannah Road, that they haven’t forgotten about them.

“This has going on for two years, and two them, they might think we weren’t doing anything,” explained Sheriff Roundtree. “Hopefully, that individual neighborhood and those who see trouble know that they are on our radar.”

The sheriff announced that the investigation is still active.

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree held a press conference Friday in reference to recent gun violence and gang activity in the area.

Sheriff Roundtree announced the conclusion of a 2-year multi-agency operation to take down the OS or Old Savannah Gang with the issuing of 34 search warrants and the arrest of 23 people who were targeted as members of this gang and responsible for trafficking drugs, guns and money.

The gang known has primarily operated in downtown Augusta and centered in the area of the 1600 block of Old Savannah Road.

This investigation involved the following agencies:

  • Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
  • Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
  • Aiken County Sheriff’s Office
  • Chatham County Sheriff’s Office
  • Statesboro Police Department
  • Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office
  • Greene County Sheriff’s Office
  • GBI
  • FBI
  • ATF
  • DEA
  • GA National Guard
  • Augusta University

During the course of this investigation, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office with the help of the above mentioned agencies were able to seize $27,937.00 in United States currency, 28 firearms, 4 grams of Cocaine, approximately 18 pounds of Marijuana, 26 grams of MDMA, and other assets.

The Sheriff does believe the leadership in this gang is currently in custody and he believes there are others who are involved with this gang and are still on the streets.

Below are the 22 defendants that were arrested during the course of this investigation: (Some of these defendants are still actively being pursued)

  • Cedrekus Antoine Gillette: age 37; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and (Felony) Conspiracy (WANTED)
  • Tobias Akeem Ardis: age 26; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, (Felony) Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, (Felony) Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, (Misdemeanor) Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Office, (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and (Felony) Conspiracy (WANTED)
  • Malik Freeman: age 24; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (Arrested), (Felony) Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime (Arrested), and 3 (Misdemeanor) Counts of Forgery in the Forth Degree (WANTED)
  • Larry Tarver Jr: age 34; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (WANTED)
  • Robert Lee Whitehead: age 33; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor) (WANTED)
  • Lorenzo Dexter Lindsey Jr: age 23; Hephzibah, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and (Felony) Conspiracy (WANTED)
  • Diamone Eugene Armstead: age 31; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Probation Violation and (Misdemeanor) Possession of Marijuana (Arrested)
  • Johnnie Sims: age 26; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Cocaine, and (Felony) Possession of Oxycodone (Arrested)
  • Latrevius Dequan Jennings: age 25; Grovetown, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute, and (Felony) Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime (Arrested)
  • Andreas Jennings: age 19; Grovetown, GA; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute (Arrested)
  • Ricco Marcel Wright: age 38; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and (Felony) Conspiracy (Arrested)
  • Torrence Holmes: age 42; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana (Arrested)
  • Jordan Jamal Lovett: age 25; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana, (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, (Felony) Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, and (Felony) Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime (Arrested)
  • Rico Jamal Burnett: age 29; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and (Felony) Conspiracy (Arrested)
  • Dennis Rodriquez Stephen: age 34; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and (Felony) Conspiracy (Arrested)
  • Reginald Dejon Porter: age 38; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and (Felony) Conspiracy (Arrested)
  • Charles Edward Jordan: age 32; Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and (Felony) Conspiracy (Arrested)
  • Donquez Rodriquez Morris: age 25; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Misdemeanor) Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Handgun License Required. (Arrested)
  • Robert Levette Nelson: age 37; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of MDMA and Possession of Oxycodone. (Arrested)
  • Connie Yvonne Kennedy: age 42; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. (Arrested)
  • Germaine Tyrone Royals: age 46; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Article with Altered ID. (Arrested)
  • Curtis Edward Lewis; age 52; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, Possession of Article with Altered ID. (Arrested)
  • Jonathan Keith William; age 39; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges (Misdemeanor) Possession of Marijuana. (Arrested)
  • NOT PICTURED: Ashely Nicole Brooks: age 29; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, and Possession of Article with Altered ID. (Arrested)
  • NOT PCTURED: Berrien, Dennis: age 65; of Augusta, Georgia; Charges: (Felony) Possession of MDMA, (Felony) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Arrested)

Count on NewsChannel 6 for more details as they become available…

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