Atlanta Gang Burglarized Celebrities Using Social Media: Prosecutor

FULTON COUNTY, GA — More than two dozen members of a metro Atlanta gang are accused of burglarizing the homes of multiple celebrities after using social media and television to identify their targets, according to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

During a news conference, Willis announced a 220-count indictment against 26 members of the "Drug Rich" gang, who targeted celebrities like singer Mariah Carey, "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Marlo Hampton, and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

The indictment primarily covers 16 different victims and incidents of violence in Fulton County, Willis said. The earliest crime mentioned in the indictment is a 2018 carjacking, while the most recent crime occurred this month, she added.

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Eighteen of the 26 charged are in custody, Willis said. Most are accused of violating Georgia's anti-gang and racketeering laws. Other charges include kidnapping, armed robbery, shootings and home invasions.

The Drug Rich gang emerged in 2016 in neighboring DeKalb County, Willis said. She called it a "hybrid gang" with members who are also tied to the Gangster Disciples, Bloods and Crips.

In addition to the celebrity targets, social media influencers were also victimized in home invasions and burglaries, Willis said.

"What they do is target people who show their wealth on social media," Willis said. "So I do have a message for the public: Where it is kind of fun to put your things on social media and show off, unfortunately, these gangs are becoming more savvy, more sophisticated in the way that they target you."

Willis also had a message for the accused gang members Monday.

"If you thought Fulton was a good county to bring your crime to, to bring your violence to, you are wrong and you are going suffer consequences and today is the start of some of those consequences," she said. "We are continuing our mission to target gangs as we believe it is our No. 1 public safety crisis."