25 arrested for violent ‘gang war,’ 1 suspect on the run, Gwinnett police say

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett police announced at least 26 people have been indicted after a year-long investigation into gang activity. All but one of them are now in police custody.

The 210-count indictment includes violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, violations of the gang act, and counts of malice murder, felony murder and multiple counts of armed robbery, aggravated assaults among other charges.

Gwinnett police say the charges are connected to several shootings and other violent crimes across the metro Atlanta area.

[PHOTOS: 25 arrested on gang charges in Gwinnett racketeering indictment, 1 suspect on the run]

“The charges range from RICO charges to murder charges and other charges,” said Officer Hideshi Valle with the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Back in August 2021, police investigated multiple shootings along Boggs Road in Duluth. Investigators discovered that these cases were related to ongoing violence between the “Blitxtz” and the “56 Gang.”

On Aug. 29, 2021, police said “56 Gang” members shot and killed 18-year-old Jeremiah Pretto of Duluth. Authorities discovered other violent crimes were linked to the “56 Gang.”

TRENDING STORIES:

“These incidents were carried out against each other and sometimes innocent people,” Valle said.

Such crimes included multiple armed robberies, carjackings, and aggravated assaults.

Investigators said in December 2021, the case turned into a RICO investigation against the “56 Gang,” as authorities began charging numerous members with what police said were even more violent cases.

Investigators said they discovered that “56 Gang” was working with the “Drug RIxh” gang.

On Jan. 25, 2023, police said a Gwinnett County grand jury indicted the top leaders of “56 Gang:” 22-year-old Ladavion Smith, aka Chicago, of Lawrenceville, and 18-year-old Cameron Hamilton, aka XG, of Clarkston.

Police said the same grand jury also indicted “Drug Rixh” founding members: 24-year-old Dalemonte Neshawn Stilley, aka Drug Rixh Hect, of Stone Mountain, and 27-year-old Zaion Sharif Martinez, aka Drug Rixh Peso, of Stone Mountain.

Investigators said 22 additional members of both gangs were indicted on RICO charges.

According to the police, 25 out of 26 defendants have been arrested. The last outstanding defendant, 22-year-old Khari Kelley, aka RX Yano, of Decatur, has an active felony warrant in this case. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

Police say they worked diligently to make the arrests in their effort to keep gangs out of Gwinnett County.

“We do know gang criminal activity poses a threat to our community and to our citizens and to our schools,” Valle said.

Police say they some of the crimes spanned across the metro area and some were charged in counties as far away as Carroll County.

Anyone with information regarding Kelley’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department detectives at 770-513-5300.

Gwinnett police say the charges are connected to several shootings and other violent crimes across the metro Atlanta area.

On Aug. 29, 2021, police said “56 Gang” members shot and killed 18-year-old Jeremiah Pretto of Duluth. Authorities discovered other violent crimes were linked to the “56 Gang.” Such crimes included multiple armed robberies, carjackings and aggravated assaults.

GALLERY OF SUSPECTS:

1 of 28