Prosecutors in Georgia announced Monday that 26 members of the Drug Rich gang are facing allegations of more than 200 crimes, including targeting wealthy athletes and celebrities.
The Drug Rich gang is a hybrid gang that started in 2016 and primarily targets people who show off their wealth on social media, according to a statement made by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Members are also allegedly associated with the Disciples, Crips, and Bloods, and are being targeted by law enforcement after 16 different incidents of violence, Willis explained.
“If you thought Fulton was a good county to bring your crime to, to bring your violence to, you are wrong, and you are going to suffer consequences,” Willis noted at the start of the press conference.
The 220-count indictment filed August 22 against the 26 gang members started with a 2018 carjacking, but also includes kidnapping, home invasion, shootings, and armed robbery, Willis continued.
“So I do have a message for the public: Where it is kind of fun to put your things on social media and show off, unfortunately these gangs are becoming more savvy, more sophisticated in the way that they target you,” she stated.
Victims of the gang include pop icon Mariah Carey, Atlanta Falcon’s wide receiver Calvin Ridley, Atlanta United goalie Brad Guzan, “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Marlo Hampton, and the mother of rapper Future’s child, Willis reported. A number of other, non-famous social media influencers were targeted too.
The investigation into the crimes of the Drug Rich gang was aided by lyrics in rap songs written by members where they bragged about their illegal behavior, according to Willis. (RELATED: Rival Biker Gangs Engage In All-Out Shootout On Nevada Freeway)
“You do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it, which you do that for a form of intimidation and to further the gang and not be held responsible,” Willis continued. “I have some legal advice: don’t confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you do not want them used. Or at least get out of my county.”
A similar method of identifying alleged gang members was used earlier in the year in an indictment against the YSL street gang, which includes rappers Young Thug and Gunna.