Jury indicts man as leader in gang fight

By Pete Skiba (2291)
pete.skiba@albanyherald.com

Thursday, December 30, 2010
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

Photo by Laura Williams

ALBANY, Ga. -- Fighting at a party on April 24 in Turtle Park along Front Street brought gang-related charges to an adult who authorities say was involved.

Kharan Dianta Hines, 24, remains in Dougherty County Jail with no bond set, a jail spokeswoman said. The Dougherty Grand Jury indicted him Wednesday on charges of aggravated assault, gang participation and leading a gang.

"Hines is a leader of a Bloods sect here in Albany," said Greg Edwards, district attorney. "The beating he took part in was in retaliation for an incident involving the victim previous to the party."

Because the victim and three others involved in the fight are teenage juveniles, Edwards said he could not name them. The three teenagers appeared in Juvenile Court and details could not be discussed, he added.

If found guilty of all the charges, Hines could face up to 45 years in prison, said Heather Lanier, chief assistant district attorney. The gang leader charges can add 10 years to the gang participation sentence and must be served after the initial sentence on gang participation, she added.

The block party, thrown by the owner of SOWEGA Tax Service to thank his clients for their patronage, turned violent after it ended around 5:30 p.m. that day.

In April, Wes Smith, assistant city manager, said that the event was over when the fighting broke out. The event ended with about 200 youthful residents wandering about. There were reports of fights in areas other than Turtle Park at the time.

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