Attorney General Chris Carr has announced the indictment of Zyquavious Thomas and Keanthony Sorrells for the fatal shooting of Cameron Manago at Rolling Ridge Apartments in Athens on May 27, 2024. The defendants are reportedly associated with Sex Money Murder, a national Bloods gang. A third individual, Janiya Moore, faces drug-related charges.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), along with the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit, conducted the investigation. Since its establishment in July 2022, Carr's unit has collaborated with ACCPD to indict 24 individuals across ten cases, securing 12 convictions so far. Crime data from ACCPD indicates a reduction in shooting incidents by 22% in 2023 and nearly 30% year-to-date.
"All Georgians deserve to feel safe in their communities, and we’re fighting each day to ensure that’s a reality," said Carr. He emphasized the partnership's success in prosecuting repeat offenders and addressing gang conflicts in Athens-Clarke County. "Our efforts have made a significant impact on the Athens-Clarke County community, but there’s still more work to do," he added.
ACCPD Chief Jerry Saulters expressed gratitude for the Gang Prosecution Unit's assistance: “The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is committed to holding criminals accountable for their actions and making Athens a safe community to live, work and visit.”
On November 19, 2024, an Athens-Clarke County Grand Jury indicted Thomas and Sorrells on multiple charges including murder and armed robbery. Both face additional counts related to firearms possession and gang activity violations. Moore was charged with attempting to violate Georgia's controlled substances laws.
In 2022, Attorney General Carr established Georgia’s first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit with support from Governor Brian Kemp and state legislators. Since its inception on July 1, 2022, the unit has achieved over 50 convictions and indicted more than 140 individuals across various counties.
The Gang Prosecution Unit operates within the Attorney General’s Prosecution Division alongside units focused on human trafficking, white-collar crime, cybercrime, and organized retail crime.