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Federal prosecutors say 24 Savannah residents have been indicted on firearms and drug-trafficking charges after a joint operation between federal and local police targeting a crime-ridden neighborhood in midtown.
In an ongoing effort to crack down on violence and gang activities, Savannah-Chatham police and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives focused on Cann Park, where crime has risen recently, said Edward Tarver, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The neighborhood saw an uptick in crime during 2015, including 24 burglaries, Tarver said.
“Citizens should be able to walk down the streets of their neighborhoods without the fear of drug activity and gang violence,” Tarver said. “If you live in Cann Park, more than likely your house was broken into last year.”
The operation, which started in September 2015, featured collaborations between ATF, Savannah-Chatham police, the Savannah-Chatham Sheriff’s Office and Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team to identify and arrest violent offenders on federal charges, said James Dier, ATF agent.
“Today is a very significant day for residents of Cann Park and for this community at large,” Dier said. “This partnership is the beginning of more momentous traction to reducing crime and reducing gun violence in the community.”
Nineteen of the 24 indicted are in police custody, Tarver said. Law enforcement officers are still looking for the last five suspects.
And while the operation is over, Savannah-Chatham Police Chief Joseph Lumpkin said law enforcement’s fight against crime in Savannah is far from over.
“We’re going to continue efforts to reduce crime and we’re going to continue to improve this community,” Lumpkin said.
Charged with federal crimes were: Marquiel Bell aka “Quelly” or “Julio,” 19; Roemain R. Bennett aka “Ratt,” 33; Jesse Benton, 27; Mario Grant, 33; Benjamin Gordon, 43; Jamal Hilton aka “Jamel Hilton” or “Jamaal Hilton ” or “Mel” or “Tommy Henderson II,” 31; Jeremy James, 34; Kristopher Kemp, 30; Nicholas Kemp, 28; Stephen Kemp, 25; Jacqueline Mavity, 44; Roy Mobley aka “Grind,” 37; Albert Morisette, 31; Alekseyer X. Mungin; 37; Rashaun Padgett aka “Ray Ray,” 31; Michael Porter, 36; Marvin Roberts aka “Steady,” 29; Tony Small, 20; Kareem Savage aka “Rashaad Roberts,” 27; Jamaine Wallace, 35; Simmeon Whitfield aka “Yon,” 26; Xavier Whitfield aka “Kenny,” 30; Randy Williams, 32; and Travis Young, 35.