15 Outcast Motorcycle Gang members convicted in Georgia’s largest biker gang prosecution

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WTOC) - Fifteen members of the Southeast Georgia Chapter of the Outcast Motorcycle Gang have been convicted in what officials call the largest motorcycle gang prosecution in state history.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced the convictions Thursday alongside Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney Billy J. Nelson Jr., Richmond Hill Police Chief Mitch Shores and federal and state law enforcement partners.

All 15 defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation, and violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. The charges stem from an attempted armed robbery and shootout on June 17, 2022, at Flacos House Bar & Grill and the Red Roof Inn on Highway 17 in Richmond Hill.

The victims include several innocent bystanders caught in crossfire and six members of a rival gang who were targets of the robbery.

Gang leadership dismantled

The convictions brought down the gang’s top leaders, including “President” Melaun Aiken, “Vice-President” Eddie Latson, “Secretary” Lee Alan Mole and “Road Captain” Joseph Leeks. Aiken was sentenced earlier this month, with other defendants entering guilty pleas over the past year.

“This historic case is a testament to the results we’re able to achieve when all levels of law enforcement work together to do one thing – keep the people of our state safe,” Carr said. “By leveraging our knowledge and resources, we were able to take down a dangerous network that was terrorizing the community and putting innocent people in harm’s way.”

Operation Patronus results

The 13-month investigation, dubbed Operation Patronus, involved more than 40 search warrants across multiple jurisdictions. Law enforcement seized more than 100 weapons, two motorcycles and two cars during the operation.

The investigation spanned Bryan County, Chatham County, Crisp County, Douglas County, Glynn County, Liberty County, McIntosh County, Richmond County, Colleton County in South Carolina and Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

“The excellent outcome of this case demonstrates the significant impact law enforcement can have when various agencies come together as one team,” said Richmond Hill Police Chief Mitch Shores.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Tabarrok, Brooklyn Franklin and McKenzie Gray. Multiple agencies assisted in the investigation, including the Richmond Hill Police Department, ATF, Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Georgia Gang Investigators Association.

Defendants charged and sentenced

Melaun Arturi Aiken (aka “Do Wurk”), age 48 - 25 years (7 years prison, remainder probation), $17,345 in fines

• 11 counts aggravated assault
• 7 counts attempted armed robbery
• 21 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation
• 2 counts possession of firearm during commission of felony

Lee Alan Mole (aka “Trench”), age 61 - 20 years (2 years prison, remainder probation)

• 11 counts aggravated assault
• 7 counts attempted armed robbery
• 14 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation
• 2 counts possession of firearm during commission of felony

Taurus Marquis Simmons (aka “Repeat”), age 44 - 20 years (4 years prison, remainder probation)

• 11 counts aggravated assault
• 7 counts attempted armed robbery
• 14 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation
• 2 counts possession of firearm during commission of felony

Terrance Donita Potter (aka “Chatter Box”), age 47 - 20 years strict probation, banished from Georgia except one county

• 11 counts aggravated assault
• 7 counts attempted armed robbery
• 14 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation
• 2 counts possession of firearm during commission of felony

Eddie Latson (aka “Stash”), age 45 - 20 years (4 years prison, remainder probation), $5,655 in fines

• 11 counts aggravated assault
• 7 counts attempted armed robbery
• 14 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation
• 2 counts possession of firearm during commission of felony

Joseph Leeks (aka “Axel”), age 46 - 20 years (4 years prison, remainder probation), $3,000 in fines

• 8 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Marquis Jones (aka “Grudge”), age 41 - 20 years (180 days detention center, remainder probation), $4,255 in fines

• 8 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Donovan Scott (aka “Sockit”), age 38 - 20 years (2 years prison, remainder probation)

• 8 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Shron Gilbert (aka “Hard Left”), age 54 - 20 years (4 years prison, remainder probation), $4,155 in fines

• 11 counts aggravated assault
• 7 counts attempted armed robbery
• 14 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 2 counts conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation
• 2 counts possession of firearm during commission of felony

Demon Thompson (aka “9 Ball”), age 46 - 5 years strict probation, $2,905 in fines, 80 hours community service

• 4 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 1 count conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Paul Gosden (aka “White Collar”), age 54 - 5 years strict probation, $2,905 in fines

• 4 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 1 count conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Theron Singleton (aka “DMB” and “Do My Best”), age 60 - 10 years strict probation, $4,255 in fines

• 4 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 1 count conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Labarron Pollock (aka “Bootleg”), age 50 - 10 years strict probation, $2,180 in fines, 80 hours community service

• 4 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 1 count conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Jemar Mack (aka “Ghost” and “Ghost Ryder”), age 45 - 20 years (4 years prison, remainder probation), $3,000 in fines

• 4 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 1 count conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

Whitney Lenore Hooks (aka “Secrets”), age 39 - 5 years strict probation, $2,905 in fines, 80 hours community service

• 4 counts violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count conspiracy to commit aggravated assault
• 1 count conspiracy to commit robbery by intimidation

About the Outcast Motorcycle Gang

The Outcast Motorcycle Gang is considered an outlaw motorcycle gang or “One-Percenter” motorcycle gang. The organization has 67 chapters across the country, including four in Georgia.

Founded in 1969 in Detroit, Michigan, the gang’s second chapter was formed in Atlanta. Additional Georgia chapters are located in Augusta, Hawkinsville, Savannah, and Valdosta.

The gang is known to engage in murder, assault, drug trafficking, and weapons trafficking, according to officials.

Gang Prosecution Unit

Attorney General Carr created Georgia’s first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit in 2022 with support from Governor Brian Kemp and the General Assembly.

Since beginning operations July 1, 2022, the unit has secured more than 120 convictions across 19 counties statewide.