The Criminal Investigation Division and the Crime Suppression Unit of the Sandersville Police Department along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Natural Resources, the Washington County Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and the Department of Community Supervision concluded its investigation known as “Operation Breakfast Club.”
During a news conference held on Thursday, July 16 Captain Ken Parker of the Sandersville Police Department explained that this case is the first of its kind in the history of the Sandersville Police Department.
“We are proud to have worked side by side with our law enforcement partners,” said Capt. Parker. “Without these agencies, this case would not have been possible.”
This joint investigation lasted several months and resulted in the arrest of five individuals who are alleged members of a non-traditional criminal street gang known as the “Hot Boyz.”
According to Capt. Parker, during the joint investigation, a variety of drugs were seized including marijuana, Crystal Meth, ecstasy, and Xanax. In addition, 16 firearms were removed from the streets of Sandersville.
“Guns in the hands of criminals is a deadly combination,” said Capt. Parker, adding that gun violence by criminal street gangs has increased substantially.
Sandersville has seen an increase in shootings in the past year and a half. Since January 2019, there have been 24 shootings which have resulted in property damage and at least one injury.
“We believe 75 percent of these shootings to be gang motivated,” said Capt. Parker. He added, “We love our City, and we love the people who live in our City; however, the drugs and guns allegedly sold by these suspected gang members pose a major threat to the quality of life here in Sandersville.”
During the news conference, Sandersville Mayor Jimmy Andrews commended law enforcement for working together to keep neighborhoods safe.
Sandersville Police Chief Victory K. Cuyler explained that the role of the police department is to protect and serve.
“We want Sandersville to be a good and safe place to live,” said Chief Cuyler.
According to Chief Cuyler, educating and interacting with youth, and establishing relationships within the neighborhoods is vital.
“We’ve gone to the schools and the churches, and we’ve provided education to inform them about gang activity in our community,” said Chief Cuyler.
The five individuals arrested in “Operation Breakfast Club” include:
- Christopher M. Reynolds who is currently incarcerated at the Washington County Jail on previous charges for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of ecstasy with the intent to distribute, possession of Xanax with the intent to distribute, and criminal damage to property. His new charges include three counts sale of marijuana, two counts sale of methamphetamine, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, four counts of use of a communication device to facilitate a drug transaction, six counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and 10 counts of violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corruption Organization Act.
- Christopher M. Williams who is currently incarcerated at the Washington County Jail for sale of methamphetamine. His new charges include three counts sale of methamphetamine, four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 11 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and six counts of violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corruption Organization Act.
- Deandre J. Burke who is currently incarcerated at the Washington County Jail for sell of marijuana. His new charges include: two counts sale of marijuana, three counts sale of methamphetamine, two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, one count possession of an unlawful firearm, two counts of use of a communication device to facilitate a drug transaction, 11 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and 13 counts violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corruption Organization Act.
- Deaudre Quaon Simmons who is currently incarcerated at the Washington County Jail for two counts of aggravated assault. His new charges include: one count sale of marijuana, one count sale of methamphetamine, three counts of use of a communication device to facilitate drug transaction, four counts violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and five counts violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corruption Organization Act.
- Eric L. Key who is currently incarcerated at the Fulton County Jail on previous charges for rape, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery, and sodomy. His new charges include: one count sale of Xanax, three counts sale of methamphetamine, three counts use of communication device to facilitate a drug transaction, four counts violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and five counts violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corruption Organization Act.
