Three Men Convicted in Deadly Lawrenceville Drug Robbery Plot

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County jury has convicted three Memphis men in connection with the July 2021 shooting death of 29-year-old Kapri Kadeem Ward during a drug robbery attempt in Lawrenceville.

Emarion Boyland, 20, Jamar Quarles, 23, and Theus Hopson, 19, were found guilty of two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery. Quarles and Hopson were also convicted of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Boyland was sentenced to life in prison. Quarles and Hopson each received life sentences plus five years of probation.

According to prosecutors, Boyland orchestrated a robbery targeting Ward, a known marijuana dealer, and brought along his then-15-year-old brother, Hopson, and Quarles. The group traveled from Memphis, Tennessee, to Georgia to carry out the plan.

On July 1, 2021, the trio met up with 23-year-old Aaron Rakir Todd, who drove them to Ward’s apartment. Todd stayed in the vehicle while Boyland, Quarles, and Hopson followed Ward up the stairs. A gunfight ensued between Ward and the suspects, during which Ward was shot in the chest and killed. Quarles was also injured.

Quarles, Boyland, and Todd fled the scene before police arrived. Officers discovered Ward deceased and transported Quarles to the hospital for treatment, not knowing he was a suspect. He later left the hospital and returned to Tennessee before investigators could question him.

Evidence presented during the trial tied all three men to the crime. Todd still faces charges of murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Ian and Managing ADA Ryan Smith of the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Drug and Gang Task Force, with assistance from DGTF Investigator Yayoi Huggins and Victim Witness Advocate Trina Bradford. The Gwinnett County Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted.

“This victim’s death was senseless, and we grieve with his family,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. “These defendants crossed three state lines to satisfy their greed and took a life in the process.”

Ward’s death was investigated under Gwinnett County case records from July 2021.