Georgia

Inside Savannah’s push to prosecute gang-affiliated youth

Published

1 month ago

October 16, 2025

Inside Savannah’s push to prosecute gang-affiliated youth

As Georgia expands its new Gang Prosecution Unit in Savannah, questions are mounting about what “gang-affiliated” really means and how prosecutors decide who fits that label.

State and local leaders say the new unit run by Attorney General Chris Carr will help dismantle violent groups across Coastal Georgia. But Savannah criminal defense attorney Martin Hilliard argues the distinction between gang-related and gang-affiliated is often blurred, and the money poured into gang prosecution doesn’t always lead to safer communities.

Hilliard says someone who is gang-related commits a crime for the furtherance of the gang’s goals, while a person that is gang-affiliated wants to be a part of the gang or has loose connections such as friends, shared symbols or social media posts.

“You can get four kids standing on the street corner wearing a red bandana, and they say this is a member of a gang, because they call themselves similar nicknames,” Hilliard said. “That doesn’t necessarily make them a gang, but the government spends a lot of money and has a lot of money invested in grants to create these gang units.”

Georgia’s fiscal year 2026 budget documents show $268,484 will be allocated to Savannah’s Gang Prosecution Unit.

And earlier this month, Carr announced two new hires. Assistant Attorney General Brian DeBlasiis and Criminal Investigator Jacob Hesting will oversee the unit’s regional efforts in Chatham County by working with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute violent criminal gang activity.

“This new regional team will prove critical as we work to disrupt and dismantle violent criminal street gangs in every corner of our state. We won’t rest in our efforts to keep Georgians safe, and those who terrorize our communities with repeated acts of violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Carr said in a press release.

Since Carr rolled out the Gang Prosecution Unit across the state, it has secured 80 convictions and indicted over 140 individuals. In late-April, the unit indicited three people from Chatham County — Treyvon Howard, Rashine Edwards and Jakarie Cowell — with violating the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

The charges stem from two incidents involving the assault of an 18-year-old male at Frazier Homes Apartment Complex on Aug. 8, 2024 and the armed robbery and carjacking of a 44-year-old male at Oglethorpe Mall on Aug. 10, 2024.

“Gang activity has no place in this state, and those who engage in violent crime will be held accountable,” Carr said in a press release. “We’re working each day to disrupt and dismantle the growing gang networks that are terrorizing our communities, and we’re proud to be in this fight with our partners at the Savannah Police Department. We won’t hesitate to ensure the rule of law is enforced because keeping Georgians safe is our top priority.”

A person found guilty of unlawful gang activity in Georgia can be sentenced anywhere from five to 20 years in prison on top of the other charges the state alleges are in furtherance of the gang’s goals.

“Is it actually going to change anything? No.”

Hilliard, who has spent 30 years as an attorney in Savannah, said the state’s laws on gang violence do nothing to reduce the crime.

“It makes a lot of scared people feel better, but it doesn’t actually change anything. It makes you feel good, but it doesn’t change the actual crime,” he said. “A murder is still a murder. A robbery is still a robbery. Drug dealing is still drug dealing. What do you gain by putting additional penalties on it? What does it actually change?”

Many of those who could face gang-related charges, he says, are often as young as 14 to 16 years old.

“It’s a young man’s game. They get out there and they’re looking for clout, dope, money or territory. They either get it, go to prison or get killed along the way,” Hilliard said.

In 20 years, he has seen gangs proliferate in the streets and funding for gang prosecution rise as a response — all the while, legislators have yet to get to what he thinks is the real root of the problem — lack of fathers in the home, unstable housing economics and seeing friends and family profit from committing criminal acts.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and Aldermen created a housing task force in 2020 to identify the city’s housing needs. Within six months of conducting research, the task force found that Savannah does not have enough quality housing available at affordable costs for a large portion of its residents.

Housing is considered affordable when rent or mortgage payments do not exceed 30% of a household’s gross income.

Over the past 30 years, the task force found housing expenses have outpaced incomes at a rate of at least 2:1, leaving 40% of Savannah households with incomes less than $50,000 annually not being able to afford quality housing.

“There are solutions to crime. Invest your money in the kids. Invest your money in the parents, and you might prevent them from becoming gang members,” Hilliard said.

The six suspects, aged between 16 and 20 years old, thought to be involved in the July 2 shooting at the Oglethorpe Mall, were charged with unlawful gang activity in early October.

Five suspects are being tried as adults for the incident that resulted in the death of mall patron Olislene ‘Tina’ Smith who the prosecution argues had heart issues that were excaterbated by the shooting incident.

“I hope it sends a message that is why these kinds of cases are so critically important and critical to the issue of public safety. This is not just young kids beefing in the street. Lives are at danger and at risk, and everybody’s life was at danger and at risk on July 2,” Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Jones said at a press conference in late August.

A grand jury found probable cause to charge Franklin James, 16, Dahmil Johnson, 16, Royce Haynes, 17, Jonathan Jones, 20, Theron Robbins, 20, and Aujawan Hymon, 20.

“It’s about grabbing headlines or grabbing money. Is it actually going to change anything? No. I can tell you right now it’s overcharged,” Hilliard said.

Ansley Franco is a reporter with the Savannah Morning News, covering public safety and general assignments. You can reach her at AFranco@gannett.com.

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Georgia

Georgia Power proposal could raise bills as company seeks to expand grid

Published

7 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Georgia Power proposal could raise bills as company seeks to expand grid

Utility rate increase possible if PSC approves Georgia Power request

Georgia Power wants to add more energy to the grid. But analysts with the state agency that regulates rates say that could mean your monthly utility bill could go up. Right now, the Public Service Commission is considering a request from Georgia Power to add 10-gigawatts to the grid.

ATLANTA – Georgia Power wants to add more energy to the grid — but analysts with the state agency that regulates utility rates say that could mean higher monthly bills for customers.

What we know:

Right now, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is considering Georgia Power’s request to add 10 gigawatts of energy capacity. The company says the expansion is needed to keep up with rising demand, particularly from data centers that could move into the state.

What they’re saying:

Public advocates warn that all that extra power could come at a cost to customers who are already paying more than they used to.

Giselle Graciano, who moved from Kansas to metro Atlanta earlier this year, said her monthly utility bills have been much higher than expected.

“Average bill, so far, has been around $90 to $110,” Graciano said. “Compared to where I came from, yeah — that’s a lot of money.”

In recent testimony, public-interest advocacy staff with the PSC said Georgia Power’s proposal could raise monthly bills by about $20.

“Definitely, a bit of a strain in terms of budgeting, especially in current economic conditions,” Graciano said.

Georgia Power has already raised prices six times since 2022, though the PSC approved a rate freeze through 2028. Consumer advocates worry customer bills could rise again once that freeze ends.

“I think it’s a travesty,” said Kimberly Scott, Executive Director of the advocacy group Georgia WAND. “We could see an increase in our rates come 2028, 2029.”

Public-interest advocates are urging the PSC to approve only about one-third of what Georgia Power requested, arguing it’s unclear if the potential data center contracts will actually materialize.

“The approach seems to be, if you build it, they will come. But what if they don’t?” said Bob Sherrier, Staff Attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

The other side:

In a statement, Georgia Power spokesperson Matthew Kent said the company disagrees with staff testimony calling its demand projections speculative.

“We continue to work with the Georgia PSC to ensure that we have the reliable energy Georgia needs as our state grows while maintaining affordability for all customers,” Kent said. “It is due to these large-load commitments that Georgia Power was able to freeze base rates for the next three years.”

What’s next:

The Public Service Commission will hold hearings on Dec. 10 and Dec. 12 and is expected to vote on Dec. 19, just before newly elected commissioners are sworn in.

The Source: Information in this article came from FOX 5’s Christopher King speaking with advocates and past FOX 5 reporting. He also reached out to Georgia Power for a statement.

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Want Georgia football tickets vs. Georgia Tech? See best prices for remaining available seats

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Want Georgia football tickets vs. Georgia Tech? See best prices for remaining available seats

No. 4 Georgia football (10-1) travels to No. 19 Georgia Tech (9-2) on Friday, Nov. 28, at 3:30 p.m.

It’s the final regular season game of the year for the Bulldogs.

For the fans staying in the Classic City to watch the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic at a local dive bar, the game will be broadcast on ABC.

However, for the fans that are planning to travel the roughly two-hour drive (with Thanksgiving and Black Friday traffic on top of normal metro area traffic, definitely expect delays) across SR-316 W to I-85 and Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, here’s how much tickets cost and where to buy them.

Buy Georgia football tickets

Georgia football tickets vs. Georgia Tech

Ticket prices for the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech game at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Friday, Nov. 28, at 3:30 p.m. start at $196 on StubHub, $148 on Ticketmaster, and $234 on VividSeats.

To see a full list of ticket prices, visit StubHub.

Buy Georgia football tickets

Georgia football schedule

Here is the entire 2025 Georgia football schedule.

Game 1: Georgia 45, Marshall 7
Game 2: Georgia 28, Austin Peay 6
Game 3: Georgia 44, Tennessee 41 (OT)
Game 4: Alabama 24, Georgia 21
Game 5: Georgia 35, Kentucky 14
Game 6: Georgia 20, Auburn 10
Game 7: Georgia 43, Ole Miss 35
Game 8: Georgia 24, Florida 20
Game 9: Georgia 41, Mississippi State 21
Game 10: Georgia 35, Texas 10
Game 11: Georgia 35, Charlotte 3
Game 12: Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

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Georgia

Coaches Poll Top 25 sees Georgia football keep its ranking heading into rivalry week

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Coaches Poll Top 25 sees Georgia football keep its ranking heading into rivalry week

ATHENS — To little surprise, Georgia picked up an easy win over Charlotte on Saturday.

The 35-3 win ensured Georgia would remain as the No. 4-ranked team in the Coaches Poll Top 25 heading into Week 14.

Georgia’s opponent heading into the final week of the season did not enjoy a stress-free Saturday, with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets falling 42-28 at home to Pitt.

The loss dropped Georgia Tech from No. 12 to No. 19 in the Coaches Poll rankings. The Yellow Jackets also saw their ACC championship game hopes take a serious hit. A win would’ve clinched a spot in the conference title game.

Now, Georgia Tech has to try and get off the mat with Georgia rolling into Atlanta.

The game won’t be played at home for Georgia Tech, with the game moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It will be a short week for both teams, with the game being played on Black Friday once again.

Last year’s contest was played in Athens and saw the Yellow Jackets jump out to a 17-0 lead. Georgia rallied to win in eight overtimes, 44-42.

Prior to yesterday’s loss, Georgia coach Kirby Smart made it known Georgia expects to get Georgia Tech’s best shot and then some this coming week.

“It’s the same amount of time they have, we have,” Smart said. “So I don’t know that it’s an advantage. The advantage, I guess you’re asking about, is you did it before, so repeating the process. But it’s a little different this time for us in terms of timing and everything because we’ve got to go on the road this time.”

Georgia will be fully occupied with trying to take down Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs do still have a chance to play back-to-back games in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as Georgia is still alive to play in the SEC championship game.

Georgia’s chances of making it to the game did take a hit on Saturday with Vanderbilt beating Kentucky. The only scenarios in which Georgia can get to Atlanta involve either Texas A&M losing to Texas or Alabama losing to Auburn. Both of those games will be played after Georgia concludes its game against Georgia Tech.

Friday’s game is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET game on ABC.

You can see the full Coaches Poll Top 25 rankings below.