8 alleged “GoodFellas” gang members, associates charged with violent crimes, including attempted murder

Eight alleged members and associates of Atlanta’s “GoodFellas” gang have recently been indicted on charges of violent crimes, including attempted murder and attempted carjacking. The Department of Justice has labeled the group as a “violent gang” that recruits members from Atlanta neighborhoods and corrections facilities. The gang has been linked to a series of violent incidents, including a triple shooting in July 2024 that resulted in the deaths of two teenagers.

The indictment, which was unsealed in the Northern District of Georgia, names eight individuals as defendants: Frank Hubbert, Montavis Jones, Darian Sheppard, De’Andre Jackson, Ephram Marshall, Tahj Rankine, Leonunte Carson, and Ahday Nelson-George. These individuals are facing charges ranging from attempted murder to assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, five of the defendants—Sheppard, Jackson, Marshall, Rankine, and Carson—allegedly fired multiple shots at an Atlanta gas station in February 2021, injuring a patrol officer. The group was reportedly targeting members of a rival gang. Additionally, in the same month, Sheppard, Jackson, and Marshall, aided by Hubbert and Jones, allegedly fired approximately 50 rounds at a woman, causing severe injuries to her and two bystanders, including a child.

Hubbert and Jones are believed to be leaders of the GoodFellas gang and are facing multiple charges related to their involvement in the criminal activities. Hubbert and Nelson-George are also charged with assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and attempted carjacking. The indictment alleges that the two individuals assaulted three victims at an Atlanta apartment complex in January 2021 and demanded the keys to their vehicle at gunpoint, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

The defendants charged with attempted murder could face a maximum penalty of life in prison, while Nelson-George could face up to 75 years behind bars. Several defendants have detention hearings scheduled for the following week, as per court documents.

The investigation into the GoodFellas gang was a collaborative effort involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Department of Corrections, and the Atlanta Police Department. This case is part of the newly announced nationwide initiative called “Operation Take Back America,” which aims to combat cartels, gangs, and other criminal organizations across the country by pooling resources from existing task forces and programs.

In conclusion, the indictment of the GoodFellas gang members sheds light on the ongoing efforts to address violent crime and dismantle criminal organizations in Atlanta and beyond. The charges brought against these individuals underscore the commitment of law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety and hold those responsible for such crimes accountable.