Monday, April 15, 2024

DeKalb Police, GBI, ATF, Cedar Park Police arrested 20 defendants during April 5 sweep at Lithonia home

Decatur, Ga.- Four defendants arrested during the execution of a search warrant as part of a gang case in Lithonia on April 5, 2024 were denied bond this morning.

Attorneys for Camryn Byrd, 23, Nashan Hutton (a.k.a. Nahan Hutton), 24, Darin Harris, 20, and Shadae Woods, 19, each filed motions for bond in their cases.

All four defendants are charged with Unlawful Manufacture, Delivery, Distribution, Possession, or Sale of Noncontrolled Substances; Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute; Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act; and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. 

Defendants Byrd, Hutton, Harris and Woods were arrested along with 16 other defendants at a home on Cleethropes Drive in Lithonia. 

According to the investigation, the Cedar Park Police Department (Texas) notified the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) about several armed robbery suspects with connections to DeKalb County.  Officers with DKPD identified the suspects and located them at the home in Lithonia. 

While executing a search warrant at the house, law enforcement recovered 20 firearms, including 8 fully automatic long guns, as well as 6 illegal switches used to turn handguns into automatic weapons.  Authorities also seized a significant amount of drugs. 

In addition to the gang charges, four of the defendants arrested during the sweep were also charged in connection with a murder at a gas station on Snapfinger Road on April 4, 2024. 

Judge Fatima A. El-Amin sitting by designation for the DeKalb County Superior Court denied Defendants Byrd, Hutton, Harris and Woods’ requests for bond, citing concerns that they present a danger to the community. 

“Today’s bond hearing marked the first step in my office’s involvement in this case.  We are glad the judge agreed that these defendants should not be allowed on the streets while we complete our investigation.  The sheer number and power of the weapons recovered in this case cannot be overstated.  My team and our law enforcement partners are working diligently to determine exactly how many crimes this group is responsible for in our community so that we can hold them accountable and secure justice for their victims,” said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. 

The other 16 named defendants have not yet had bond hearings scheduled in this case.