ATLANTA – Investigators say accused gang members ran a violent operation in Georgia while allegedly posing as charity groups, but friends and family of one of the accused say his volunteer efforts are legitimate.
Kevin Clayton of DeKalb County is one of the close to 50 people arrested and accused of being a leader of the Gangster Disciples gang. He and dozens of other Metro Atlanta residents, including a former DeKalb police officer, are accused of running a sophisticated crime ring.
The indictment, which was unsealed on Wednesday, said Clayton held the rank of Chief Enforcer. His job was to punish those who broke gang rules with violent means, if necessary. Clayton, who is also a rapper under the name OG KK. was apprehended on Thursday.
FULL LIST: 32 alleged gang members indicted in Georgia
DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said the gang had a division known as “Growth and Development” that put on charity events. YouTube features several videos of the group doing community cleanup projects and feeding the homeless.
But authorities say the good deeds were not as they seemed; the deeds were done to impress potential young recruits and their parents.
“Members of the Gangster Disciples were involved in community-based activities such as feeding the homeless, stop the violence rallies and community fundraisers were simultaneously involved in narcotics trafficking and fraud,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Britt Johnson.
“If you're not aware of what's going on and you see an organization that's feeding the homeless, that's mentoring young people, they have a non-profit charter -- what's bad about it," James said. "What's bad about it is it’s all a farce.”
Friends of Clayton deny the charges. They have started a GoFundMe account and are on social media using the hashtag #freeojkk.
The indictment says gang members shot one recruit who refused to help with a community cleanup project and were involved in numerous other murders, shootings, drug deals and robberies.
The alleged gang members face up to life in prison on racketeering charges.
