DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- A former DeKalb County Police officer is heard admitting to drug use and talking about allegations of gang affiliation in audio obtained by 11Alive News.
Former Dekalb County Police Officer Vancito Gumbs was named in a federal indictment handed down late last month.
Gumbs is listed in a 55-page indictment along with dozens of other suspected members of the Gangster Disciples -- a notorious gang with chapters across the nation.
FULL LIST: 32 alleged gang members indicted in Georgia
Authorities said Gumbs admitted that he had killed people as a hitman for the gang. They say he also tipped off gang members about police activities to keep them out of trouble.
Gumbs resigned in 2015 while being investigated for possible drug use.
Internal affairs began looking into Gumbs after several people came forward saying they spotted him at the Spotlite Sports Bar on Sept. 22, 2015, with another man Gumbs only identified as “King.”
Witnesses said the two were snorting cocaine.
When questioned by internal affairs on Oct. 14, 2015, Gumbs is first heard denying drug use.
“I met a guy named King,” he said. “I close the car door and sure enough, he’s taking a hit of the cocaine. With the dome lights on and everything. I immediately snap out. Like, ‘Dude.’ But as far as me doing it with him - no.”
But after just four more minutes of questioning his story changed drastically.
“Truthfully, I did,” Gumbs admits. “I did do some of the narcotics. Yes I did.”
Interviewer: How much? One line? Two lines?
Gumbs: I did about two.
Interviewer: Two bumps or what?
Gumbs: Two bumps, yeah.
At the time of that internal investigation -- when he was still a police officer – Gumbs is asked if he’s a member of the Gangster Disciples, noting one of his tattoos is the six-point star, a well-known symbol of the gang.
Interviewer: Have you ever had any gang affiliation.
Gumbs: No...No, no, no.
Gumbs appeared in federal court last week, where he was denied bond, despite the fact that his mother took the stand to plead for his release.
