Latest news with #GangProsecutionUnit
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Multi-count gang indictment brought in Chatham County, 2 new gang prosecutors approved by lawmakers
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – State prosecutors are set to increase the crack down on gang related crimes in the Savannah area, an effort that's already begun with three people indicted in a major, gang case Wednesday. Over $250,000 of Georgia's state budget has been appropriated by lawmakers to the Attorney General's office to add two positions that will expand the state's Gang Prosecution Unit to Savannah. 'Most violent crime is gang related. A lot of people don't realize that,' State Rep. Jesse Petrea, (R) District 166, said. Wednesday's indictment names three individuals who have been charged with violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act for their involvement with the Rock Out Gang (ROG) in Chatham County. The 19-count indictment brought by the Attorney General's office includes crimes like aggravated assault, armed robbery and carjacking. 'We need somebody aggressively going after gang members,' Petrea said. 'It makes the community safer wherever you do it, and we're going to do it in a bigger and bolder way here in Savannah, I hope. You're going to see more.' However, the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that's been approved by the state House and Senate must be signed by Governor Brian Kemp for the money to come through. Then, the Attorney General's Gang Prosecution Unit will officially include the Savannah region. The unit is based in Atlanta, and, right now, it has regional prosecutors in Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, and the Middle Judicial Circuit. 'A lot of drugs move through Atlanta,' Petrea said. 'So, that tends to be a center, but we're right at 95. So, a lot of drugs and a lot of trafficking come up and down the interstate, and we're right next to the interstate. So, Savannah, we need these resources.' Petrea said the state is working with law enforcement to mitigate what elected officials anticipate will be a larger influx of criminals to the local jails under the new prosecuters. 'We had to make sure that they had the resources to pay more to retain staff. We did a pretty big increase on the per diem for holding state prisoners,' he said. 'We pay them a per diem and that's about $30/day and we're increasing it by $6/day. So, we're trying to help in that regard.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Attorney General of GA launches operation targeting gangs from other countries
Attorney General of Georgia Chris Car has announced the launch of Operation 'Hold the Line,' a multi-agency effort that targets transnational gangs. Violent gangs such as Tren de Aragua, a gang that started in a Venezuelan prison, have spread their operations across at least 16 states, including Georgia. Carr says gangs like Tren de Aragua engage in human trafficking, organized retail crime, weapons smuggling, and drug trafficking in Georgia. Both brothers of Jose Ibarra, the Venezuelan migrant who killed Laken Riley, have been linked to Tren de Aragua. Along with Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit, his Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, and his Organized Retail Crime Unit, participants in the operation will include local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. 'My message to these gangs is clear: Georgia is not, and will never be, a safe haven for violent criminals,' said Carr. 'We will track you down, prosecute you, and dismantle your operations.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Suspect in custody after shooting, killing police officer just 'serving the citizens of Roswell' Metro police departments offer condolences to 'hero' officer shot, killed in line of duty 4 men show up injured at Grady Hospital following shooting in Southeast Atlanta [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
