Neo-Nazi Gang Member Sentenced to 40 Years for Illegal Weapons and Street Gang Violations
On September 11, 2024, in Troup County Superior Court, Hunter Blake Harrington, 24, pleaded guilty to six violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, along with one count each of Possession of a Sawed-off Shotgun, Possession of a Sawed-off Rifle, and Unlawful Possession of a Silencer. Under a negotiated plea agreement, Coweta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Markette Baker sentenced Harrington to 40 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison. Harrington entered “best interest” guilty pleas to the Street Gang Act violations, meaning he pleaded guilty without admitting personal guilt.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jack Winne, with Troup County Sheriff’s Office Investigator James Robson leading the investigation.
The investigation began on October 24, 2022, when a concerned citizen reported Harrington’s erratic behavior and possession of illegal weapons to the Troup County Sheriff’s Office. The report included concerns about Harrington’s affiliation with the Atomwaffen Division, a violent Neo-Nazi hate group. At the time, Harrington had been involuntarily committed as a danger to himself and others. During a search of his apartment, investigators seized a safe, which they broke open using explosives in a controlled environment due to concerns it might contain explosives. The safe contained parts of a sawed-off shotgun and rifle, several illegal silencers, and materials suspected for explosive device manufacturing. Harrington also possessed at least five legal firearms and Atomwaffen Division paraphernalia and writings.
Georgia law defines a “criminal street gang” as any group of three or more persons engaged in criminal activities. The evidence indicated that the Atomwaffen Division qualifies as such a gang, and Harrington’s illegal weapon possession was linked to gang activities.
This case marks the second conviction under Georgia’s Gang Act involving a white supremacist, following Christopher Copson’s 20-year sentence as a member of the Aryan Brotherhood in 2018.
