By Joe Johnson
Local gang member Jeffery Rice was recently convicted for his involvement in a fatal shooting that occurred on Gaines School Road in 2022.
Authorities have identified Rice as a confirmed member of the Red Tape Gang, a local hybrid criminal street gang with ties to major national Bloods, including Sex Money Murder and the Rollin’ 20s. The defendant was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 18 years to be served in prison and the remainder on strict probation.
“This conviction is yet another step in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the growing gang networks that continue to incite violence in our communities,” Carr said in a release. “We have been working with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department since the very beginning, and our strong partnership has already resulted in gang members behind bars and even more defendants still facing serious charges. All Georgians deserve to be safe, and we will never stop fighting to rid our streets of this dangerous and criminal activity.”
This case was investigated by ACCPD's Robbery/Homicide and Gang Units with assistance from the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit.
Over the past year, the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit has worked with ACCPD to indict a total of 15 defendants, including Rice and seven alleged members of the Red Tape Gang. These cases stem from a range of incidents, including fatal shootings, assaults and robbery.
“I am proud of our investigators and thankful to our state partners for their work on this case,” Athens/Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters said. “The Athens-Clarke County Police Department remains committed to combatting violent street gangs and will continue dedicating its resources to removing violent criminals from the streets of the Athens community.”
Jeffery Rice Conviction
On Aug. 14, 2023, Rice pleaded guilty to the following charges:
1 count of Voluntary Manslaughter
1 count of Aggravated Assault
1 count of Aggravated Battery
4 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
1 count of Driving While License Suspended
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Ryan Piechocinski, who serves as the Assistant Chief of the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit.
Case Summary
On Oct. 21, 2022, Jeffery Rice drove his vehicle into the parking lot of the Citgo gas station on Gaines School Road in Athens-Clarke County. Riding in the car with Rice was fellow gang member Alijah Nelson. Upon entering the parking lot, Rice and Nelson saw a rival gang member walking past their vehicle. Rice abruptly stopped his vehicle and both he and Nelson exited. Nelson immediately opened fire at the rival gang member, and Rice is believed to have fired at least once before his gun jammed. The rival gang member received multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen and back but was able to return fire in self-defense, killing Alijah Nelson in the process.
On Oct. 28, 2022, Rice was arrested by ACCPD for the death of Alijah Nelson. He was indicted by the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit in January 2023
But he's not the one who killed the guy !
What part of Deadwood did this occur? There is some comfort in knowing that these scum tend to mostly kill their peers, but not really. All of these guys have mothers. And most have siblings. There's lots of pain to go around thanks to the gang-bang culture.
Thank goodness this was prosecuted outside of ACC!
Otherwise, he would be back on the streets on parole.