Savannah Residents Charged With Federal Firearm, And Drug Trafficking Offenses

SAVANNAH, GA – Federal indictments were unsealed yesterday revealing that 8 Savannah residents have been charged with federal firearms and drug-trafficking offenses. 

According to evidence presented on Tuesday during detention hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge GR Smith, the federal indictments are the result of a joint FBI and the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) investigation into gang-related activities in the Savannah area.  Law enforcement focused their attention on the Carver Village Thoroughbreds gang, a violent gang operating in the Carver Village neighborhood in Savannah.  The gang is allegedly comprised of 15 to 20 members engaged in a number of criminal activities, including shootings, robberies, and the trafficking of narcotics. 

Seven of the Defendants charged appeared before Judge Smith on Tuesday for their arraignments and detention hearings.  Those Defendants included:                                                                                                                               

Dennis Lee Williams, 36,                                                                                                                                  

Jermond Anderson Curtis, aka “Mon,” 27,                                                                                                                                  

Adrian Tarazze Byrd, aka “Newie,” 40,

Shamon Antwon Williams, aka “Keith Anderson,” aka “Antonio Antwan Williams, 39,

Eugene Curtis, aka “Gene,” aka “Gene Williams,” aka “Ronnie Curtis,” aka “Eugene Curtis, Jr.,” 50,

Eusi Shango Sampson, 37, and

Felisha Dawn Byrd, 42.

U.S. Attorney Ed Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The operation was investigated by the FBI and SCMPD.  Assistant United States Attorneys Tania Groover and Charlie Bourne are prosecuting the case for the United States.  For additional questions, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.