17-04-2025
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.'
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