Three Gang Members Convicted of Murder in Dougherty County

On February 22, 2024,

Attorney General Chris Carr announced the conviction of Demondarrius Jaquan Hicks, Jotorious Devante Cox, and Mckeal Raynard Lamar, Jr. for the murder of 30-year-old Kartavious Jones in Dougherty County. The three individuals, who are members of the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods, shot and killed Jones on Oct. 9, 2018, in Albany, Georgia. The verdict was returned by a Dougherty County Jury on Feb. 16, 2024, following a 10-day trial. Sentencing is scheduled within the next 30 days.

“In an act of pure cowardice, Kartavious Jones was shot, killed and left by the side of the road, and we’re proud to see justice served,” said Carr. “With this verdict, the Jury has sent a resounding message that gang violence of any kind will not be tolerated in Dougherty County or anywhere in our state, and those responsible will be held accountable.”

The Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit, in collaboration with law enforcement in Southwest Georgia, presented evidence leading to the conviction. The unit, based in Atlanta with regional prosecutors and investigators in Albany and Augusta, Georgia, has secured 11 convictions in Dougherty County since its establishment in July 2022.

Albany Police Chief Michael Persley emphasized the importance of partnerships in tackling violent crime, stating, “Let this be known that we are not being lenient on crime and those who feel that they can break the law without consequences are sadly mistaken.”

The investigation was led by the Albany Police Department’s Robbery/Homicide Unit, with support from the Gang Task Force. Assistant Attorneys General Michael Tabarrok and Lee M. Stoy, Jr. prosecuted the case.

“I can speak on behalf of all members of the General Assembly when I say that gang warfare will never be tolerated within our state,” said House State Properties Committee Chairman Gerald Greene.

The defendants were found guilty of various charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

The incident occurred when the defendants, along with Jamarrie Harvey, encountered Jones and falsely believed him to be a member of a rival gang. A verbal altercation ensued, leading to physical assault and ultimately the fatal shooting of Jones. Harvey resolved his case by way of a guilty plea prior to trial.

The Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods, a subset of the larger Bloods gang, has a presence in Albany, Georgia, primarily through its Rollin 80’s subset.