GEORGIA — Multiple felony arrests have been made following an investigation into alleged gang activity, illegal drug distribution and violent crime connected to housing authority properties in Camilla, Georgia, according to police.
The Camilla Police Department said the investigation began after residents and the Camilla Housing Authority raised concerns about ongoing drug activity, aggravated assaults, gunfire and property damage in the community.
Police said the rise in violent crime and narcotics activity led the department to seek assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office.
Authorities said several arrests have been made through the joint investigation involving Camilla police, the GBI and the Camilla Housing Authority.
According to investigators, 23-year-old Jermaine Johnson of Camilla was arrested March 25 and charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a housing authority, two counts of criminal street gang activity and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Police also arrested 22-year-old Tymon Dawson of Camilla on charges including possession of a dangerous weapon involving a machine gun switch device, criminal street gang activity and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
In a separate incident on March 20, officers responded to reports of shots fired near the Jester Homes housing authority property. During the investigation, police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with a shot-out driver’s side window.
Investigators said Kendrick Cooper and a 16-year-old juvenile were arrested after officers allegedly found two firearms inside the vehicle, including a Glock pistol equipped with a switch device that police said made the weapon fully automatic.
Both were charged with possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Authorities also said Rodney Jones, 24, was arrested May 1 and charged with multiple counts of sale and delivery of a controlled substance, including distribution within 1,000 feet of a housing authority. Police said additional fraud-related charges are pending.
On April 17, investigators executed a search warrant at a home on West Circle in Camilla. During that operation, Darien McIntyre, 27, and Jared Jones, 26, were detained on pending drug possession and fraud-related charges, according to police.
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing.
