Attorney General Chris Carr, joined by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Chris Hosey, announced the expansion of the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit to Macon-Bibb County. The announcement included the hiring of veteran prosecutor Ashton Jordan and seasoned investigator Nathan Shoate. Both will oversee the unit's regional efforts starting July 1, 2024, funded by the state’s FY 2025 budget signed by Governor Brian Kemp in May 2024.
Jordan currently serves as Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Griffin Judicial Circuit, while Shoate is a Senior Criminal Investigator with the Major Crimes Unit in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. This expansion also includes new prosecutors and investigators in Columbus and Southeast Georgia. The unit is presently based in Atlanta, Albany, and Augusta.
“Since creating our Gang Prosecution Unit nearly two years ago, we have seen unprecedented success in putting away some of Georgia’s most dangerous criminals,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “Now we’re expanding our efforts to include a new regional team in Macon-Bibb County so we can work more closely and effectively with all levels of law enforcement to combat violent crime and keep Georgians safe.”
In July 2022, with support from Governor Kemp and other leaders, Carr established Georgia’s first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit. In nearly two years, this unit has secured over 40 convictions and indicted nearly 140 individuals across various counties.
“Macon’s Gang Prosecution Unit will follow the example set by others in cities across the state to take the fight to criminal street gangs,” said Governor Kemp. “With hundreds of arrests already made, we know these units are an important part of our work to keep all our communities safe.”
Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy expressed his support: “Violent crimes and gang activity jeopardize the safety, well-being, and quality of life for all Georgians. No matter where they live, every resident deserves to feel secure in their community.”
“The success of investigations in Macon, Middle Georgia, and across the state has been due to our tremendous local, state, and federal partnerships,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey.
The GBI's Gang Task Force partners with various law enforcement agencies to address gang-related criminal activities including violence and narcotics trade. Last year saw collaboration with Macon-Bibb County officials to establish a new headquarters for its Middle Georgia Gang Task Force.
The Middle Georgia Gang Task Force has initiated over 200 gang-related cases involving serious crimes since its inception one year ago. These efforts resulted in 158 arrests and seizure of narcotics worth over $1.5 million.
Ashton Jordan will serve as Assistant Attorney General for Macon-Bibb County starting July 1, bringing extensive experience from her role as Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Griffin Judicial Circuit since 2015. Nathan Shoate will serve as Criminal Investigator for Macon-Bibb County; he has been a Senior Criminal Investigator with Fulton County since 2023.
Both appointments aim to strengthen efforts against gang violence within middle Georgia.
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