Crime & Safety

Gang Sweep Lands 49 Behind Bars

GCPD and ATF teamed up for the eight-month crackdown on gang members. Two members of a gang were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault.

An eight-month long investigation has led to the arrests of 49 gang members in Gwinnett County.

Since February 2011, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted a joint investigation of sects of the "Gangster Disciples." The street gang primarily operated out of the  at 100 Castor Drive in Norcross. Detectives said the apartment complex was an ideal setup for the gang. Police say the gang members were able to keep lookouts and see whenever police came in and out of the complex.

Gang members reportedly forced other residents at the complex to live in fear. "We had a lot of concerned citizens come to us and tell us they were afraid to call the cops," said GCPD Detective James Evans. "It was common knowledge that after police left, they would set the tone-- 'that if you ever did that again, we're going to rob your house, we're going to shoot you.'"

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In all, 49 gang members were arrested, 248 felony warrants produced and 96 felony indictments. Twenty gang members were arrested for 16 known burglaries and are suspected in 50 more. 

In April, GCPD's Gang Unit went to Norcross to investigate gang member Darryl Fuller.  and pointed it at an officer during that altercation. An officer fired one shot and hit Fuller in the head. Fuller later died.

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GCPD also said two members of the gang were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault in Lilburn. Brandon Mosley and Hunter Davis were  of Angelo Larocca of Loganville at The Columns of Paxton Lane Apartments in Lilburn on June 28.

The eight-month long investigation ended with a coordinated warrant sweep on Dec. 14. GCPD, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and Probations and Paroles arrested 31 people on that day.

ATF Special Agent in Charge said the "Gangster Disciples" gang originated in Chicago and that some members came to Atlanta from New Orleans. "Some of the people did in fact come here after Katrina," said Sweetow adding that they were able to use social media to track some of the gang members. "These folks aren't exactly shy," Sweetow added. "They like to brag about what they do."


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