Working with Walthourville Police and the K-9 section of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, agents from the Multi Agency Crack Enforcement Drug Task Force were able to round up 13 alleged members of the Dog Pound Gang in Liberty and Wayne counties on Dec. 9.
According to MACE Unit Commander Al Cato the arrests came after a lengthy and ongoing investigation which led to the indictment of the 13 suspects by a Liberty County grand jury.
Cato said nine men were arrested in Liberty County, one man in Wayne County. Three others were already in jail on other charges and will have a holds placed on them to secure the new indictments.
The indictments charge them with violations of the street gang and terrorism prevention act.
“All the subjects are documented members of the local Dog Pound Gang,” Cato said. “This is the first phase of an ongoing investigation. As far as I can recall this is the first of this type of investigation for this area, related to an organized criminal street gang and their illegal activities which involve weapons and narcotics violation.”
Cato said more arrests are imminent and said the Atlantic Judicial Circuit DA will assume prosecution of the alleged gang members. He said they anticipate some of the suspects will face federal prosecution and have requested additional federal assistance in handling the case.
Arrested suspects:
Whitman Ovitt, 27, of Walthourville
Demetrius James, 20, of Walthourville
Crystal Wheeler, 26, of Walthourville
Tony Wheeler, 23, of Walthourville
Donte Knight, 20, of Walthourville
Antonio Babbs, 31, of Walthourville
Myron Bradwell, 22, of Walthourville
Corey Brown, 24, of Walthourville
Mark Hills, 20, of Walthourville (also faces sales of cocaine charges, obstruction and failure to appear warrants)
Markquida Hills, 20, of Walthourville
Thomas Blagmon, 25, incarcerated
Samuel Mickel, 26, incarcerated
Ronald Williams, 25, incarcerated