Six Charged in Chilling Plot to Murder Georgia Jail Guards Who Threatened Drug Empire
Six people, including a jail officer, face charges in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Fulton County guards who cracked down on contraband trafficking. 🌐 #News #FultonCountyGA #Georgia #Crime
FULTON COUNTY, GA – Six individuals have been charged in a complex scheme to murder two Fulton County Jail officers who, authorities say, threatened an internal contraband trafficking ring. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced the charges on Tuesday, including murder-for-hire conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses.
According to the indictment, Wayne Alford, a pretrial detainee at the Fulton County Jail, allegedly conspired with individuals both inside and outside the jail to silence two officers disrupting his drug and contraband operations. Among the accused are Latasha Baker, a detention officer at the jail, and Matthew Freeman, an inmate at Valdosta State Prison, who reportedly agreed to finance and coordinate the murder plan.
Inside the Plot
Authorities allege Alford orchestrated the plan through contraband cell phones, connecting with Baker and Freeman, who facilitated the plot from within prison walls. Baker, entrusted with upholding jail security, is accused of conspiring with Freeman, who is serving time for armed robbery. Together, they allegedly agreed to pay individuals outside the prison to kill the officers interfering with Alford’s operations.
Carlos Pearson and Jayden Barnes, two alleged associates outside the jail, reportedly accepted offers of $1,000 each to carry out the murders. Their involvement, authorities claim, reveals how deep the conspiracy ran, crossing lines between the incarcerated and free.
Plot Thwarted by Tracking Discovery
The conspiracy unraveled when the targeted officers discovered tracking devices placed on their vehicles. Their suspicion led to an investigation, revealing the alleged plot and implicating the six defendants. Authorities say this discovery prevented the murders and exposed a far-reaching network of contraband communication and violence within the Georgia prison system.
Charges and Gang Ties
The indictment details numerous charges against the six accused. Alford, 27, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, one count of drug trafficking conspiracy, and one count of conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Baker, 38, is charged with similar counts, including conspiracy to commit murder for hire and drug trafficking conspiracy.
Freeman, known by aliases “Coach Poker,” “Pokerface Matt,” and “Gotti Freeman,” faces two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, one count of drug trafficking conspiracy, and one firearms-related charge. Other defendants include Pearson, known as “Rico Reflection,” and Barnes, known as “Swipe” and “El Swiper.”
Additionally, 21-year-old Jaheim Arnold, who goes by “Slime” and “Toppslime,” faces a series of charges, including firearm possession as a convicted felon. Investigators also confirmed that several of these individuals are associated with the GoodFellas gang.
Statements from Law Enforcement
“These defendants demonstrated a callous disregard for human life when allegedly plotting to murder detention officers who threatened their illegal drug and contraband activity at the Fulton County Jail,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, emphasizing the severity of the allegations.
Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat expressed dismay over the involvement of one of his own officers in the scheme. “It is unthinkable and deplorable that one of our detention officers would conspire to have one or more of her co-workers killed,” he stated.
Sheriff Labat underscored the importance of integrity and accountability in law enforcement, adding, “We must ensure that those who are entrusted with public safety adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and any breach of that trust will be met with swift justice.”
Justice System on Alert
As the case moves toward trial, it shines a light on the complex challenges faced by the justice system in curbing contraband activity and ensuring the safety of those working within the prison environment. The shocking allegations highlight a breach of trust and the risks officers face in upholding the law, even within the walls of their own facility.
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