AUGUSTA, Ga. – In a recent operation, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office apprehended three individuals following the execution of a search warrant at an apartment complex in Augusta on Thursday.

The search took place at Archer Green Apartments, situated at 3112 Damascus Road, as confirmed by local law enforcement officials.

During the search, authorities detained Damien Bell, Zayquan McNair, and Kenneth Tanksley, all residents of Augusta. The investigation led to the discovery of a firearm, about 415 grams of marijuana, and $5,669 in cash within the apartment.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has released the following charges for each suspect:

Damien Bell

Bell was committed to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for the following offenses:

Grand Jury Arrest Warrants:

• O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (8 counts)
• O.C.G.A. 16-15-4.1: Drive-By Shooting (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-7-22: Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (4 counts)
• O.C.G.A. 16-5-121: Aggravated Assault (2 counts)
• O.C.G.A. 16-5-70: Cruelty to Children in the First Degree (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)

New Arrest Warrants:

• O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (1 count)

Zayquan McNair

McNair was committed to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for the following offenses:

Grand Jury Arrest Warrants:

• O.C.G.A. 16-5-1: Murder
• O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (2 counts)
• O.C.G.A. 16-7-22: Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (2 counts)

New Arrest Warrants:

• O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-11-133: Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender
• O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (1 count)
• (2) Felony Order to Show Cause Warrants

McNair’s Grand Jury arrest warrants stem from a murder that occurred in 2024, in front of 1965 Ellis Street in Augusta. McNair and others were alleged to have participated in a drive-by shooting targeting a rival criminal street gang, which resulted in the death of Argie Jones, a homeless woman, RCSO said.

Kenneth Tanksley

Tanksley was committed to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for the following offenses:

• O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)
• O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (1 count)

The RCSO Gang Task Force, Gang Unit, SWAT Team and the U.S. Marshals Southeastern Regional Fugitive Task Force assisted in the arrest.

Sheriff Eugene Brantley issued the following statement on the arrests:

“We will continue to drive down crime and remove criminals from our streets. It should be clear that gang life is a dead-end street that results in spending the rest of your life in prison or losing it altogether. We are working every day to reach our youth through partnerships with schools, community programs, and our Community Services Division to steer them away from the lure of gangs and crime. Most of our students, regardless of race or economic background, succeed in life and never have negative encounters with law enforcement, that is our goal. Criminals need to understand that crime does not pay in Richmond County.”