DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of Georgia

For Immediate Release

Thursday, September 22, 2016
Edward J. Tarver
, United States Attorney
Contact: James D. Durham

Savannah Gang Leader Sentenced to 262 Months in Federal Prison

SAVANNAH, GA: Shavar Spence, a/k/a “Veezy,” 32, of Savannah, Georgia, was sentenced earlier this week by Chief U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to serve 262 months in federal prison for trafficking drugs and unlawfully possessing firearms. After Spence completes his nearly 22-year prison term, he will be supervised by the United States Probation Office for an additional five years. Parole has been abolished in the federal system.

According to the evidence presented at sentencing, Spence was the leader of the “Clock Gang Muzik Group 12:30” (CGMG), an armed drug trafficking organization that operated in two locations within the Cuyler Brownsville neighborhood in Savannah. The CGMG was organized, worn CGMG gang clothing, and was armed with firearms during drug transactions. After conducting undercover purchases of drugs from members of CGMG, law enforcement executed search warrants at the locations where CGMG operated in Cuyler Brownsville. Law enforcement seized crack cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, ammunition, military ballistic vests and five firearms, including a Kel-Tec, Model Sub 2000, .40 caliber semiautomatic rifle. Disturbing evidence presented at sentencing indicated that a toddler was allowed to handle a firearm that appeared to be the Kel-Tec, semiautomatic rifle. At sentencing, the Court noted that Spence was the leader of a dangerous and highly organized gang that was attempting to train a new generation.

U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver said, “It is deeply troubling that in 2016 this defendant led an organization that taught African American children how to engage in violent crime and criminal drug activity. There should be no doubt that if you’re involved in criminal gang activity, pushing poison in our streets, or illegally possessing and using firearms, you should expect to serve a very long sentence in a federal prison. We will continue to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to end gang violence and criminal drug sales in Savannah.”

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Spence and other members of the CGMG as part of Project Ceasefire, a joint federal, state and local initiative to combat gun violence and ensure that repeat offenders are subjected to stiff federal prison sentences.

Assistant United States Attorney Tania D. Groover prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.

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Atlanta Field Division