ATL Standard

In Fulton County, Georgia, a significant 52-count indictment has been revealed by the state's Attorney General, Chris Carr, as a result of Operation Heatwave. The charges encompass a range of offenses, including violations of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, shedding light on efforts to combat gang-related criminal activity in the region.

According to a press release by the Attorney General's Office, the defendants face charges, including violations of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, drug trafficking (Oxycodone), amphetamine possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearms during felonies, and other related drug and weapons offenses. They are alleged to have participated in criminal gang activity, associated with the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, a traditional street gang from Los Angeles with a significant presence in Atlanta. These indictments stem from Operation Heatwave, a collaborative effort led by the Atlanta Police Department, aimed at tackling gang-related issues, firearms, and drug problems in high-crime areas of the city, resulting in 96 arrests, including 41 suspected gang members, and the confiscation of 62 firearms.

Attorney General Chris Carr said in a press release: "This indictment is further proof of the results we’re able to achieve when all levels of law enforcement come together to do one thing – protect the people of our state. With Operation Heatwave, we continue to see meaningful outcomes that ultimately lead to safer streets and safer communities, and we’re proud to be a part of this effort alongside our partners at APD. When it comes to violent crime and gang activity, we will not look the other way, and those responsible will be held accountable."

The press release by the Attorney General claimed that compared to the previous year, Operation Heatwave in Atlanta led to notable decreases in violent crime in 2023, with a 24 percent reduction in homicides, an 11 percent decrease in aggravated assaults, and a 40 percent drop in robberies, resulting in an overall 21 percent decline in violent crime year-to-date.

The Operation Heatwave initiative, as described by Atlanta Police Department Chief Darin Schierbaum in the press release, represents a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local partners with a primary focus on addressing gang-related issues, firearms, and drugs, using intelligence-driven methods to identify potential individuals involved in violent crimes and pinpointing areas prone to violence, ultimately aiming to safeguard the city's residents, visitors, and stakeholders.

The office's press release ends by stating that Georgia's first-ever Gang Prosecution Unit was created in 2022 by Attorney General Chris Carr, with support from Governor Brian Kemp and the General Assembly. Since its launch on July 1, 2022, the unit has indicted 89 alleged gang members across different counties. It operates under the Attorney General's Prosecution Division, alongside Carr's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and the Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit. The unit is headquartered in Atlanta and has satellite offices in Albany and Augusta, Georgia.