GBI Gang Task Force arrests 4 in months-long drug probe

Billy Hobbs, The Union-Recorder, Milledgeville, Ga.
·3 min read

May 14—A months-long undercover investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies led to the seizure of illegal drugs and cash and the arrests of four suspects.

The arrests involve a Baldwin County man, as well as a pair of suspects from Wilkinson County and one suspect from Macon-Bibb County, according Klay Kilcrease, special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Middle Georgia Gang Task Force.

The suspects were identified as:

— Kendall Saulsberry, 32, of Milledgeville. Saulsberry was charged with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by an individual under the Georgia First Offender Act, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

— Martavious Jamale Moore, 31, of Macon. Moore was charged with VGCSA for trafficking in cocaine.

Kilcrease said additional charges were expected to be filed against Moore.

Saulsberry and Moore were taken into custody May 3 and are currently jailed in the Baldwin County Law Enforcement Center.

The other two suspects arrested in the case on Thursday, May 9, are both from Wilkinson County. They were identified as:

— Derrick Tyrone Taylor Jr., 31, of Irwinton. Taylor was charged with multiple counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He also was charged with VGCSA for possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute, as well as possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone, oxycodone, alprazolam and marijuana. Taylor also was charged with possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

— Tu'aijah Keambre Warren, 28, of Irwinton. Warren was charged with multiple counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and VGCSA for possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, hydrocodone, oxycodone, alprazolam and marijuana.

Kilcrease said after their arrests, Taylor and Warren were taken to the Wilkinson County Law Enforcement Center in Irwinton and jailed.

The investigation began several months ago and culminated May 3 when GBI agents, accompanied by other state and local law enforcement officers, executed three search warrants. Two of the warrants took place in Milledgeville while another one took place in Macon.

"As a result of these search warrants, GBI agents seized suspected crack cocaine, powder cocaine, ecstasy or what also is known as MDMA, marijuana, as well as a large amount of money," Kilcrease said.

The probe was spearheaded by agents with the GBI Middle Georgia Gang Task Force in partnership with other state and local law enforcement officers.

Kilcrease said the GBI Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, along with assistance of the Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Community Supervision and Georgia State Patrol, conducted the joint investigation.

The GBI Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, which covers parts of middle and south Georgia counties, has offices based in Milledgeville and Macon.

State authorities also received assistance from the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Milledgeville Police Department, Wilkinson County Sheriff's Office, Putnam County Sheriff's Office and Eatonton Police Department.

The GBI reminds residents residing in middle and south Georgia counties that if they have information related to drug or gang activity to please call the GBI Middle Georgia Gang Task Force at 478-207-1301.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at: https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.