A 38-year-old Atlanta man once known for running a youth mentorship program aimed at curbing gun violence is now the subject of an FBI manhunt, accused of posing as a police officer and holding a driver at gunpoint during a staged traffic stop on Interstate 20. The FBI Atlanta Field Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Julious George Khalid, who is wanted on a kidnapping warrant issued on September 18.
According to CBS News Atlanta, the kidnapping and extortion occurred on August 7 along I-20 near Panola Road. Federal investigators say Khalid stopped a driver at gunpoint while impersonating a law enforcement officer, then, along with others, extorted a large amount of money from the victim before releasing them.
The FBI has not detailed how the stop was staged, including whether Khalid or his accomplices used equipment such as lights or a uniform to convince the victim he was a genuine officer. It also remains unclear whether Khalid acted alone or as part of a larger group, and whether investigators have identified other potential victims along the I-20 corridor.
A Familiar Name in Atlanta's Anti-Violence Circles
The allegations mark a jarring reversal for a man who spent years cultivating a public reputation as an advocate against the very kind of violence he is now accused of committing. The Young Generation Movement worked on anti-violence and youth mentoring in Atlanta's West End neighborhood, and the organization once ran a community cafe near the Mall West End, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In April 2024, Fulton County Juvenile Court held its 17th Annual Youth and the Law Summit, which brought together youth and local law leaders, according to Fulton County Government.
What Georgia Law Says About the Charges Khalid Faces
If convicted, Khalid faces steep penalties under Georgia law. Kidnapping is classified as a serious violent felony under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-40, carrying a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in state prison for adult victims, according to FindLaw. Georgia law specifies that even slight movement of a victim can satisfy the asportation requirement for a kidnapping charge.
Separately, falsely holding oneself out as a peace officer or public employee is a felony under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-23, punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000, per Justia Law. Notably, the statute does not require that the victim actually believed the impersonator was a real officer. Theft by extortion is addressed under Georgia Code § 16-8-16, according to FindLaw.
Another Alleged Police Impersonation Case
Hoodline reported that a man allegedly portrayed himself as both a police officer and a pastor, displaying fake badges and videos.
For now, Khalid remains at large. The FBI Atlanta Field Office is asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov, with the $10,000 reward tied specifically to information that leads to both his arrest and conviction.
