Carr: Three Convicted of Murder, Gang Charges in Shooting Death of Dougherty County Man

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Demondarrius Jaquan Hicks, Jotorious Devante Cox and Mckeal Raynard Lamar, Jr., have been convicted of the murder of 30-year-old Kartavious Jones in Dougherty County. The defendants, who are members of the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods, shot and killed Jones on Oct. 9, 2018, in Albany, Georgia. The Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit presented evidence to a Dougherty County Jury, which returned its verdict on Feb. 16, 2024, following a 10-day trial. Sentencing will take place within 30 days.

“In an act of pure cowardice, Kartavious Jones was shot, killed and left by the side of the road, and we’re proud to see justice served,” said Carr. “With this verdict, the Jury has sent a resounding message that gang violence of any kind will not be tolerated in Dougherty County or anywhere in our state, and those responsible will be held accountable. Our Gang Prosecution Unit has built a strong partnership with law enforcement throughout Southwest Georgia, and this is yet another example of the results we’re able to achieve by working together each day.”

The Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit is based in Atlanta, with regional, satellite prosecutors and investigators in Albany and Augusta, Georgia. Since its creation in July 2022, this statewide Unit has secured 11 convictions in Dougherty County.

“Today is an example of the partnerships we have with our state and federal partners as we address the violent crime in our community,” said Albany Police Chief Michael Persley. “Let this be known that we are not being lenient on crime and those who feel that they can break the law without consequences are sadly mistaken. We as a community have to work closer to help others not go down this road of destruction.”

This case was investigated by the Albany Police Department’s Robbery/Homicide Unit. The Albany Police Department’s Gang Task Force also assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Tabarrok and Lee M. Stoy, Jr.

“The conviction of these three individuals is a product of the hard work of Attorney General Chris Carr in stopping crime in our state,” said House Small Business Development Committee Chairman Mike Cheokas. “This dovetails with Governor Brian Kemp’s initiative to combat criminal street gangs in Georgia, and the increased legislative funding for our law enforcement officers helps to make this happen. I am proud of the progress that we are making in ‘taking a bite out of crime’.”

“I can speak on behalf of all members of the General Assembly when I say that gang warfare will never be tolerated within our state,” said House State Properties Committee Chairman Gerald Greene. “That is why I would like to personally applaud the Albany Police Department and Attorney General Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit for their great success in protecting the citizens of Albany from violent criminals.”

“I’m incredibly thankful for the hard work done by the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit and the local officials in Dougherty County in holding these criminals accountable for their destruction of life,” said House Code Revision Committee Chairman Bill Yearta. “The partnership between the Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement is making our state safer, and we will not tolerate violence in our community. I’m pleased that justice is being served for the victim’s family.”

Guilty Verdict

On Feb. 16, 2024, the defendants were found guilty of the following charges.

Demondarrius Jaquan Hicks (also known as “CK” and “Quan”), 23, of Albany:

1 count of Malice Murder
2 counts of Felony Murder
1 count of Aggravated Assault
1 count of Armed Robbery
15 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
1 count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

Jotorious Devante Cox (also known as “Baby Joe” and “Wartime”), 23, of Albany:

1 count of Felony Murder
1 count of Armed Robbery
11 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
1 count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

Mckeal Raynard Lamar, Jr. (also known as “Kel” and “Righteous”), 23, of Albany:

1 count of Felony Murder
1 count of Armed Robbery
9 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act

Case Summary

On Oct. 9, 2018, around 4 a.m., Demondarrius Hicks, Jotorious Cox, Mckeal Lamar, Jr., and Jamarrie Harvey – who are all members of the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods – were in the car when they saw Kartavious Jones, the victim in this case. Words were exchanged, leading those in the vehicle to believe Jones to be a member of the Crips. The defendants stopped, exited the vehicle, and began to assault Jones in an attempt to rob him. The incident quickly escalated, with Harvey and Hicks firing multiple shots at Jones. The defendants then stole $1 and one pair of Nike Slide shoes from the victim and left the scene.

Jones died as a result of his injuries. He was found by two City of Albany employees lying face down in a field in a residential neighborhood.

The Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods is a set of the larger criminal street gang known as the Bloods. Based out of Inglewood, California, the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods is one of the oldest Blood sets. It has several subsets, including the Rollin 80’s (most common in Albany, Georgia), 77th Street, and Ransom Gang.

This case was indicted by the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit in October 2022.

Jamarrie Harvey resolved his case by way of a guilty plea prior to trial.

About the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit

In 2022, 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 obtained 29 convictions and indicted a total of 100 people in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Bryan, Clayton, Cobb, Dougherty, Fulton, Gwinnett, Laurens, 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.