By Joe Johnson
A convicted gang member was indicted this week for allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint in November while the victim was eating chicken wings in his car in east Athens.
Toney Martavious Barnett, 23, of Baker Street, was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the indictment that was filed Tuesday in Clarke County Superior Court.
According to an Athens-Clarke County police incident report, on the afternoon of Nov. 16, a 59-year-old man was in a car parked in front of Smart Shop on Nellie B Avenue, eating hot wings when Barnett, who the victim knew as “Lil T,” approached the vehicle, pointed a handgun with an extended magazine at the man and demanded, “Give me your money unk.”
The victim responded by saying he would surrender $20 but that Barnett would have to shoot him to get all his money, according to the report.
“Lil T said I don’t want to shoot you in front of all these people old man,” at which time the victim pulled cash from his pocket and Barnett tried to grab all of the money but only managed to grab a $20 bill before fleeing, according to the police report.
The victim, who was disabled, reportedly told police that he was aware that Barnett had just gotten out of jail or prison and that he feared for his life during the robbery.
In September 2017, Barnett was sentenced to three years in confinement and 12 years on probation for violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act that stemmed from him and other members of the Bloods gang being involved in a shooting incident with another gang at Rolling Ridge Apartments, according to court records.
Barnett has been detained without bail being set at the Clarke County Jail since his arrest a day after the armed robbery.
An arraignment date had not been scheduled as of Friday.