Twenty-five members of a "whites-only gang" in Georgia have entered guilty pleas to federal charges ranging from drug trafficking and conspiracy to maiming and attempted murder, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced recently.
The multiple charges against members and associates of the Ghostface Gangsters (GFG) include Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) and drug-trafficking conspiracy charges and various firearm violations, according to the Aug. 31 announcement. Three of the defendants were founders, or "pillars," of the GFG, "a whites-only gang" that formed around 2000 "in a Georgia county jail," according to the DOJ.
"GFG members and associates engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence involving murder, kidnapping, assault, and witness intimidation," the DOJ report states, from "both within and outside the Georgia prison system."
Ryan. K. Buchanan, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, credited the "tireless and coordinated efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners" for securing the guilty pleas, including from three of the seven men "who created this dangerous criminal organization."
"On the street and from behind bars, Ghostface Gangsters have trafficked drugs and orchestrated and perpetrated horrific acts of violence," Buchanan said in the announcement.
The three GFG "pillars" who entered guilty pleas are Jeffrey Alan Bourassa, a/k/a “JB,” “Babyface,” and “Kid,” 40; and David Gene Powell, a/k/a “Davo,” 45, both of Cobb County, Georgia; and Joseph M. Propps, Jr., a/k/a “JP,” 44, of Smyrna, Georgia, the statement reports. Powell was sentenced to fours, one month in prison; Propps received a 1-=year, one-month sentence; and Bourassa is scheduled to be sentenced in October, the report states.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cobb County Police Department lead the multi-agency investigation, the DOJ reports.
Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said the department is "proud" of its law enforcers and civilian staff who "work hand-in-hand" with multiple law-enforcement agencies.
"In this particular case, Cobb County Police investigators worked long hours and gathered an inordinate amount of evidence to help secure this indictment," VanHoozer said. "We are especially proud of the sincere dedication of all involved. And we vow to continue to work in such a fashion on future cases as well.”
Beau Kolodka, ATF's assistant special agent in charge in the Atlanta division, stated the agency will continue to partner with and support local law enforcement efforts "to the pursuit of eradicating and forestalling criminal gang activity,” the statement records.
"The perseverance and diligence required of such interagency cooperation is what is necessary to ensure such violent criminals are charged and prosecuted accordingly," VanHoozer said in the announcement. "We remain dedicated to protecting our citizens and bringing to justice those who would seek to do them harm."
