Carr Announces New 52-Count Indictment in Fulton County Involving Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips

Defendants charged with drug trafficking, weapons offenses following Operation Heatwave

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that the office’s Gang Prosecution Unit has secured a 52-count indictment in Fulton County charging Chiquille Bell, Contrellis Books, and Marcus Thornton with Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, Trafficking Oxycodone, Possession with Intent to Distribute Amphetamine, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and other drug and weapons offenses. The defendants are alleged to have participated in criminal gang activity, including the trafficking of narcotics, while associated with the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips, a traditional street gang based in Los Angeles, California, with a large presence throughout Atlanta. The indictment stems from Operation Heatwave led by the Atlanta Police Department (APD). This summer-long initiative brings together local, state, and federal law enforcement to target gangs, guns, and drugs in the most violence-prone areas of the city. In its second year, this 16-week effort spanned seven multi-agency operations and resulted in 96 arrests, including the apprehension of 41 suspected gang members, and the recovery of 62 guns.

“This indictment is further proof of the results we’re able to achieve when all levels of law enforcement come together to do one thing – protect the people of our state,” said Carr. “With Operation Heatwave, we continue to see meaningful outcomes that ultimately lead to safer streets and safer communities, and we’re proud to be a part of this effort alongside our partners at APD. When it comes to violent crime and gang activity, we will not look the other way, and those responsible will be held accountable.”

In comparison to 2022, during this year’s Operation Heatwave, the multi-agency effort reduced: homicides by 24 percent, aggravated assault by 11 percent, and robbery by 40 percent. Year-to-date, overall violent crime in the City of Atlanta is down 21 percent, encompassing homicide (down 26 percent), aggravated assault (down 21 percent), and robbery (down 19 percent).

“The Operation Heatwave detail is a partnership that spans our federal, state, and local partners, focused on attacking gangs, guns and drugs,” said APD Chief Darin Schierbaum. “Operation Heatwave is an intelligence driven initiative that is successful because we identify which individuals are likely to commit violent crimes in our city. Data allows us to identify what areas of the city are prone to violence. Our key partnerships, coupled with the hard work from our sworn and civilian personnel, is how we go after the gangs, guns, and drugs that drive violent crime and how we are able to protect the residents, visitors and stakeholders of the city and the county.”

The Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit presented evidence to a Fulton County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of Bell, Brooks and Thornton on Aug. 31, 2023. The defendants are facing the following charges.

Chiquille Bell (aka Santana), 28, of Atlanta:

• 13 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 2 counts of Trafficking Oxycodone
• 1 count of Trafficking Amphetamine
• 1 count of Trafficking Marijuana
• 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Psilocybin Mushrooms
• 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Alprazolam (Xanax)
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Amphetamine
• 1 count of Deliver, Distribute, Dispense, and Sell MDMA
• 1 count of Deliver, Distribute, Dispense, and Sell Marijuana
• 2 counts of Possession of Drug Related Objects
• 7 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• 7 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• 1 count of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property
• 1 count of False Report of a Crime

Contrellis Brooks (aka 1600 Pablo), 33, of Atlanta:

• 3 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count of Trafficking Oxycodone
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Amphetamine
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Psilocybin Mushrooms
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Alprazolam (Xanax)
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
• 1 count of Possession of Drug Related Objects
• 5 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

Marcus Thornton, 34, of Atlanta:

• 3 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
• 1 count of Trafficking Oxycodone
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Amphetamine
• 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

A copy of the indictment can be found here . No further information about the investigation or the indictment may be released at this time by the Office of the Attorney General.

About the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit

Last year, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created Georgia’s first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit.

Since it began its historic work on July 1, 2022, the Gang Prosecution Unit has indicted 89 alleged gang members in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Bryan, Clayton, Cobb, Dougherty, Fulton, Gwinnett, Muscogee, and Thomas counties.

The Gang Prosecution Unit is housed in the Attorney General’s Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and his Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit.

The statewide Gang Prosecution Unit is based in Atlanta, with regional, satellite prosecutors and investigators in Albany and Augusta, Georgia.

*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.