Three Athens men landed in jail Friday after what police describe as a coordinated gang sweep turned up guns, marijuana and a pile of cash at two homes in town.
Officers with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department gang unit executed search warrants at homes in the 200 block of Rocksprings Court and the 100 block of Madison Avenue, according to Now Georgia. The operation was led by the ACCPD Gang Unit with backup from the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, the department's Strategic Response Team and a K-9 unit, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Arrests And Evidence
Jail booking records identify the suspects as 22-year-old Jaylen Brown, 21-year-old Tedero Phillips and 19-year-old Doukyius Clark. All three were taken into custody on multiple felony counts, according to Athens-Clarke County jail records. The public roster lists charges that include alleged marijuana distribution near a housing project along with weapons-related offenses.
During the searches, officers seized seven firearms, roughly 1.5 pounds of marijuana and $17,339 in U.S. currency, per FOX 5 Atlanta. Authorities have not released booking photographs or said whether any of the guns recovered in the raids were reported stolen.
Charges And Legal Context
Prosecutors charged the men under Georgia's Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, which defines criminal gang activity and allows for gang-related sentence enhancements and penalties, according to Georgia Code Chapter 15. The law also authorizes seizure of contraband and certain civil remedies tied to property used by gangs.
State law treats possession of a firearm during the commission of specific crimes as a separate felony that can bring extra time behind bars. Under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-106, a conviction can carry a five-year sentence that must run consecutively to other sentences, according to Justia.
Anyone with information about this case or other illegal drug activity is asked to contact the ACCPD drug tip line at 706-613-3297, according to Now Georgia. All charges are allegations, and the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
