GBI ‘Operation Shyne Down’ takes down multiple suspects connected to Cordele street gang

CORDELE – A nine-month investigation targeting a Cordele street gang culminated on Wednesday with the arrest of 18 suspects, with five additional suspects at large, in a case that totals 120 separate charges.

“Operation Shyne Down,” headed up by the Albany-based Georgia Bureau of Investigation Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, struck a blow to the G-Shyne Bloods that operate in Crisp County, the agency said.

“Criminal street gangs and their senseless acts of violence wreak havoc in our communities and place the citizens of Georgia in danger,” GBI Director Chris Hosey said. “The GBI and our partners work relentlessly to stand between this threat and the innocent citizens we are sworn to protect.

“Operation Shyne Down is a testament to this commitment. We will not tolerate acts that put our communities and law enforcement in danger, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who commit these violent acts to keep Georgia and its citizens safe.”

The GBI was assisted in the operation by the the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office; the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms; Georgia Department of Community Supervision; the GBI’s Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office; the Middle Georgia Gang Task Force and Special Operations Unit; Coffee County Sheriff’s Office; Valdosta Police Department; Perry Police Department, and Georgia State Patrol.

The nine-month investigation included extensive intelligence gathering, undercover investigations and collaboration between the GBI, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, ATF and Department of Community Supervision to identify the leadership of the criminal street gang, according to the GBI.

“Today marks a significant victory for our community,” Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock said. “Over a year ago, this agency stood on the courthouse steps in Crisp County, surrounded by state and local partners, pledging to work together to address the alarming rise in gang-related criminal activities and youth violence. Operation Shyne Down is a testament to the promise made.”

The GBI announced the following arrests and charges made in connection with the operation:

— Chad Davis, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, and violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO);

— Royce Reeves, 52, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Felix Lawton, 32, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Garstacfeus Dean, 47, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Gerard Towns, 32, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Ja’niah Ward, 24, Cordele, sale of marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, RICO;

— Keith Spivey, 46, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Xavier Cross, 22, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Jaelon Blakey, 23, Valdosta, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Walter Johnson, 32, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Kevonta Jackson, 31, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Jaquavis King, 30, Douglas, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Christopher Westbrook, 36, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Dontae Saliford, 27, Cordele, giving false statements and writings, Gang Act A and Gang Act B;

— Shaquill Savage, 31, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Lee Savage, 21, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, RICO;

— Vantavious Williams, 31, Cordele, sale of marijuana, conspiracy to sell marijuana, conspiracy to sell methamphetamine, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, use of a communications facility, RICO;

— Dontavious Colson, 30, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO.

Additional suspects not arrested on Wednesday are:

— Derek Grady Jr., 19, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Frederick Jackson, 25, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Jy’nickalys Mainor, 22, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Marqurion Walker, 32, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO;

— Kelvin Ross, 31, Cordele, conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, use of a communication facility, RICO.

The GBI requests that anyone with information that can assist in the arrest of those individuals to phone in an anonymous tip at 1 (800) 597-TIPS (8477) or online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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