By Joe Johnson
Athens-Clarke County police on Wednesday reportedly executed a search warrant at an eastside apartment complex that resulted in the arrests of three known gang members and the seizure of several guns and a large amount of cash and marijuana.
The purported gang members who were arrested were identified by police as Javaris Barnes, 33, Jakiyah Brown, 20, and Damari Rashod Jones, 21, all of whom have different addresses on Coleridge Court in Athens Gardens.
Also arrested was Jakiyah Brown, 20, of Steelwood Drive in Winder.
Police said the investigation and arrests were part of their ongoing crackdown on street gang activity in Athens-Clarke County.
The search Wednesday morning also resulted in the seizure of seven guns (2 rifles, 5 handguns), over nine pounds of marijuana, and $52,000 in U.S. currency.
Jones was arrested for violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act,
possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and reckless conduct.
Clarke County Superior Court records show that at the time of his arrest Wednesday, Jones was out on bond for an alleged violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jones is currently on probation for aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Those charges stemmed from a shootout between Jones' group, the Red Tape Gang, which police said is affiliated with the Crips, and another Crips-affiliated group.
The shootout occurred in the parking lot of the Willowood Square shopping center in 2018, one of a spate of shootings that year between the rival Crips factions, police said.
During Wednesday’s raid at the Athens Gardens apartment complex, Barnes was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, police said. He is currently on probation for convictions on charges of four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana.
Brown was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Over the past two months, ACCPD has made 28 arrests of known gang members or associates. In addition to the arrests, police have seized 23 guns, as well as drugs and stolen property.
“ACCPD is committed to protecting the community and will continue to focus our efforts on violent criminal street
Gangs,” the department said in a Friday news release.
Police asked for anyone with information about criminal street gang activity is asked to use ACCPD’s Crime Tip Line at 706-705-4775, or email the Gang Unit at gangunit@accgov.com, or contact the unit through their anonymous online tip website: https://www.accgov.com/FormCenter/Police-27/Criminal-Gang-Activity