Feds: Ghostface Gangsters arrested, most already jailed

ATLANTA — Nearly two dozen members of the Ghostface Gangsters prison gang, including some key leaders, have been arrested on federal charges after a lengthy investigation into the often gruesome crimes committed on behalf of the gang, federal prosecutors say.

A federal grand jury returned a 21-count indictment on Feb. 8, and a judge on Tuesday ordered it unsealed. The U.S. attorney’s office in Atlanta said 23 people — alleged gang members and their associates — had been arrested, including 20 already in custody on state and local charges.

Federal prosecutors said the gang has spread through Georgia’s jails and prisons and beyond since it originated in the Cobb County jail, just outside Atlanta, in 2000.

U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said those who are convicted will be removed to federal facilities across the country.

“The Ghostface Gangsters gang is very violent and their members will not hesitate to shoot at anyone,” Pak said in a news release. “Members have allegedly committed drug trafficking crimes inside and outside of prisons to make money, while committing violent crimes against each other, innocent citizens, and police officers.”

The indictment details the gang’s structure, inner workings and symbols:

It says the gang was founded by seven original members, known as the “pillars,” three of whom are charged in the indictment: 35-year-old Jeffrey Alan Bourassa, also known as J.B., Babyface and Kid; 40-year-old David Gene Powell, also known as Davo; and 39-year-old Joseph M. Propps Jr., also known as J.P.

A female gang leader is known as a “first lady,” and four of them are charged as well: 35-year-old Genevieve Waits, 26-year-old Kayli Brewer, 26-year-old Samantha Miller and 27-year-old Hailey Danielle Sizemore.

It was not immediately clear whether any of those charged have lawyers who could comment on the allegations.

The gang has a defined structure, with statewide positions of authority and members achieving different ranks and responsibilities.

New members are recruited within and outside the prison system and must memorize gang literature and recite gang oaths on demand. In a pre-initiation ritual known as “3 for 76,” three members physically beat a prospective member for 76 seconds. Newly initiated members are assigned a unique identifying number by the gang’s statewide bookkeeper.