In praising a recent indictment involving a criminal enterprise, state officials are seemingly ambivalent to the root cause of the issue. Thursday’s news unveils yet another scheme orchestrated from behind the walls of a Georgia prison, news that has seemingly become the norm for Georgia correctional facilities.
The latest indictment follows other headlines about criminal enterprises operating from Georgia prisons and target innocent Georgians on the outside.
- GBI: Glennville Murder was Botched Murder for Hire Meant for GDC Corrections Officer
- Sheriff Blasts Dept Of Corrections Over Convicted Killer’s Transfer, Use Of Contraband
- Another Inside Job: GDC Inmate Sentenced for Running a Multimillion Dollar Fraud Scheme from Inside State Prison
- Data: Few Tattnall GDC Employees Face Prison Time After Contraband Arrests
The latest indictment
Governor Brian Kemp’s office announced Thursday that seventeen individuals were recently indicted for alleged criminal acts and gang activity originating from a Georgia prison and spanning across Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Bulloch, Candler, Chattooga, Fulton, Gwinnett, Laurens, Monroe and Walton counties.
The indictment, obtained by the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit in Barrow County, charges the defendants with engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity and 136 predicate offenses, including:
- Murder
- Aggravated Assault
- Armed Robbery
- Trafficking in Fentanyl
- Trafficking in Methamphetamine
- Trafficking in Cocaine
- Trafficking in Marijuana
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender Probationer
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- Terroristic Threats
- Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree, and
- Arson
This case also has ties to alleged gang activity in the Department of Corrections by way of the two incarcerated individuals:
- Ralph Alicea, who is alleged to be a national leader of the 183 Gangster Bloods, and
- Jamar Ramsay, who is alleged to be a statewide leader of the gang.
The 183 Gangster Bloods (1-8 Trey Bloods) is a set of the larger criminal street gang known as the Bloods.
While incarcerated, Alicea and Ramsay are alleged to have directed other defendants to engage in criminal activity to further the 183 Gangster Bloods enterprise. In addition, the defendants are alleged to have engaged in discussions regarding the packaging and shipping of contraband items into a GDC facility, as well as the sale and distribution of controlled substances in Hays State Prison.
The defendants in this case are as follows:
- Ralph Alicea (also known as “MK”), age 49, in custody at Attica State Prison in New York and alleged to be a national leader of the 183 Gangster Bloods
- Jamar Ramsay (also known as “Supreme”), age 39, in custody at Hays State Prison in Georgia and alleged to be a statewide leader of the 183 Gangster Bloods
- Nicholas Wiseman (also known as “Necco”), age 31,
- Taurris Taylor (also known as “Rich”), age 30,
- Nigel Harvey (also known as “Fredo”), age 22,
- Maya Covert, age 31,
- Brantavious Sims (also known as “Trap” or “BJ”), age 19,
- Kenneth Searcy (also known as “BG”), age 31,
- Akeem Lanier (also known as “Kane”), age 34,
- Quintavius Render (also known as “Brazy”), age 34,
- Dexcadrick Graddy (also known as “Biggz”), age 25,
- Quentin Walker Jr. (also known as “Don Q”), age 34,
- Ritasha Ogburn (also known as “Boots”), age 31,
- Tonisha Wilson (also known as “Princess”), age 30,
- Kalip Sherman (also known as “Don Man”), age 24,
- Aaaron Smith (also known as “Gotti”), age 30,
- Antwon Sutton (also known as “ODogg”), age 26,
Along with the RICO offense, four of the defendants are also facing the following additional charges.
Brantavious Sims (also known as “BJ” or “Trap”):
- 1 count of Murder
- 2 counts of Felony Murder
- 5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 1 count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- 1 count of Purchase of Marijuana
- 1 count of Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony
Nigel Harvey (also known as “Fredo”):
- 4 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 1 count of Sale of Marijuana
- 1 count of Illegal Substances within 1000 ft. of a Housing Project
- 2 counts of Counterfeit Substances
- 1 count of Sale of Cocaine
Jamar Ramsay (also known as “Supreme”):
- 5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
Nicholas Wiseman (also known as “Necco”):
- 5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
As alleged associates of the enterprise 183 Gangster Bloods, the defendants are believed to have conspired to associate together and with others for the common purpose of illegally obtaining money, weapons, and property through a pattern of racketeering activity. The objectives of the conspiracy included but were not limited to:
- Maintaining and increasing the reputation, power, and influence of the enterprise through acts of racketeering activity, including murder, assault, and threats of violence.
- Acquiring United States currency, weapons and other property through acts of racketeering activity, including robbery, theft, and the unlawful sale and distribution of drugs.
- Maintaining and increasing the reputation, power, influence, and territory of the enterprise by recruiting others to associate with and participate in the enterprise.
- Enhancing the reputation of the enterprise through the posting of messages, images and videos, promoting its size, profitability and readiness to engage in acts of violence.
- Establishing and maintaining the enterprise’s structure by enforcing discipline amongst its associates, collecting dues, and distributing the proceeds of criminal activity among associates according to their positions in the enterprise’s hierarchy.
Reactions from State Officials
“We created the Gang Prosecution Unit with our partners in the legislature because we knew something had to be done to get dangerous criminals off our streets. The GBI’s Gang Task Force has also made great strides working with law enforcement at every level to pursue those who pose a risk to our communities. Thanks to all involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case, these 17 gang members will face justice. Today is a great example of how my administration and other state partners are working with those on the local level who are fed up with gangs bringing drugs and crime into our communities and harming our children. Together, we are saying ‘enough!'”
Governor Brian Kemp
“This case serves as a reminder that gangs are present and actively recruiting in every corner of our state, perpetrating violent crimes and terrorizing entire communities. We must continue to work together across all levels of law enforcement to combat this criminal activity, put violent offenders behind bars and keep our people safe. That is exactly what we are doing with our new Gang Prosecution Unit, and we will keep fighting each day to stop those who put our children, our families and our communities at risk.”
Attorney General Chris Carr
“Identifying and managing those participating in gang activity from behind the walls of our facilities is paramount in our commitment to public safety and it is an ongoing battle. We are proud of our team for bringing this case to our law enforcement partners and we appreciate their ongoing support in ensuring that justice will be served on these individuals for their role in jeopardizing the safe operations of our facilities, and most importantly, the safety of the public.”
Timothy Ward, Commissioner of Georgia Department of Corrections
GBI: Glennville Murder was Botched Murder for Hire Meant for GDC Corrections Officer
