ATHENS, Ga. — Over the past several weeks, Athens-Clarke County police say they have been rounding up gang members off of the streets.
In a matter of weeks, police say they have arrested 16 known gang members, as well as seized 11 handguns, drugs and stolen property.
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The latest of these arrests came Thursday. Santino Luke, 27, was arrested for obstruction of law enforcement and for an existing warrant for felony probation violation. At the time of his arrest, Luke was on probation for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
Miquan Pittard, 22, was arrested earlier this week on charges of violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, obstruction of law enforcement, and criminal trespass. He was out on bond when he was arrested.
Malcolm Martin, 24, is charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer and outstanding charges of burglary and felony violation probation. Police say Martin broke his probation for robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon 17 times.
Last week, police made three other arrests: 24-year-old Kaderrick Atkinson, 24-year-old Taveon Stevens and 23-year-old Jakwon Mapp.
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Atkinson is charged with obstruction of law enforcement. He was out on bond for aggravated assault, battery, criminal trespass and cruelty to children when was arrested.
Stevens is charged with obstruction of law enforcement and outstanding drug trafficking charges. At the time of his arrest, he was out on bond for a laundry list of drug trafficking and drug possession charges, as well as six gang-related charges.
Mapp is charged with violation of federal pretrial release conditions. He was on pretrial release for gun possession charges.
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On December 17, police announced three other arrests: 29-year-old Rodarius Favors, 19-year-old Fredrick Heard and 19-year-old Demarco Hardy.
Favors was arrested on probation violation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was on probation for drug charges and out on bond for gang-related charges. Police recovered three guns while arresting him.
Heard was arrested on probation violation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was on probation for aggravated assault. Police recovered one gun while arresting him.
Hardy was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and failure to maintain lane. He was on probation on gun and drug charges.
The remaining arrests associated with ACCPD’s efforts to target street gang activity have not been released.
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