On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, members of the GBI and other law enforcement agencies served 120 arrest warrants on 24 people, in Operation Shyne Down, targeting the criminal street gang G-Shyne Bloods and their involvement in criminal gang activities in Crisp County, Georgia. One of the 24 arrested was a Douglas resident. The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Department of Community Supervision (DCS), the GBI Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the GBI Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, the GBI Special Operations Unit, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Valdosta Police Department, the Perry Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol participated in the operation.
The arrests are a continuation of the efforts of a combined local, state, and federal law enforcement network whose goal is to dismantle drug trafficking and criminal street gangs throughout the State of Georgia.
This nine-month investigation involved extensive intelligence gathering, undercover investigations, and a collaborative effort amongst the GBI, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, Cordele District Attorney’s Office, Department of Community Supervision, and ATF to identify the leadership structure of the G-Shyne Blood Gang in Crisp County.
The G-Shyne Blood criminal street gang was targeted in an effort to reduce violent crimes occurring in Cordele, Georgia.
During this operation, the following people were arrested:
- Chad Davis, of Cordele, GA, charged with Conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Royce Reeves, age 52, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Felix Lawton, age 32, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Garstacfeus Dean, age 47, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Gerard Towns, age 32, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Ja’niah Ward, age 24, of Cordele, GA. Charged with sale of Marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, and RICO.
- Keith Spivey, age 46, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Xavier Cross, age 22, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Jaelon Blakey, age 23, Valdosta, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Walter Johnson, age 32, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Kevonta Jackson, age 31, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Jaquavis King, age 30, of Douglas, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Christopher Westbrook, age 36, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Dontae Saliford, 27, of Cordele, GA. Charged with giving false statements and writings, Gang Act A, and Gang Act B.
- Shaquill Savage, age 31, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Gang Act D, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Lee Savage, age 21, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to sell marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, and RICO.
- Vantavious Williams, age 31, of Cordele, GA. Charged with 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, and RICO.
- Dontavious Colson, age 30, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
They were booked into the Crisp County Jail.
Law enforcement urges the public to provide information to help locate the following people that are wanted:
- Derek Grady Jr., age 19, of Cordele, GA. Charged with Conspiracy to sell Marijuana, Gang Act A, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Frederick Jackson, age 25, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Jy’nickalys Mainor, age 22, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Marqurion Walker, age 32, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
- Kelvin Ross, age 31, of Cordele, GA. Charged with conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Gang Act B, Gang Act B, Use of a Communication Facility, and RICO.
“Criminal street gangs and their senseless acts of violence wreak havoc in our communities and place the citizens of Georgia in danger,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “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.”
“Today marks a significant victory for our community. 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,” said Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock. “This operation is the culmination of nine months of meticulous investigation, planning, and coordination. I extend my deepest gratitude to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Department of Community Supervision (DCS), Cordele Police Department, and all other law enforcement personnel involved. Your unwavering commitment and courage exemplify the oath we took. While today’s success is a significant milestone, we recognize that our work is far from over. To the families and residents of Crisp County: know that we remain steadfast in our mission to protect and serve.”
“Operation Shyne Down in Crisp County, Georgia serves as a text-book example of the impact that can be achieved when we blend our investigative resources with our State and local partners, as we continue to aggressively address violent crime that plagues our communities,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka.
This case is active and ongoing. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the GBI by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office is in Albany, Georgia and services 42 counties in Southwest Georgia. The office is a collaborative effort amongst the GBI, the Albany Police Department, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, the Dougherty County Police Department, the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office, the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, the Americus Police Department and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and is partially funded with Byrne/JAG grant funds.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Cordele Judicial Circuit for prosecution.