19 alleged gang members arrested as FBI, DEA work with Columbus law enforcement.

Nineteen alleged gang members were arrested Thursday as the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies to detain dozens of people and serve search warrants.

Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said the 19 alleged gang members had ties to the “Zohannon gang” and the “Crips gang.” Countryman said an additional 12 people were arrested as part of Thursday’s investigative activity, meaning 31 people face charges.

The 19 alleged gang members face various federal charges, such as drug trafficking, drug distribution, possessing drugs with intent to distribute, possessing guns in furtherance of drug trafficking, possessing guns as convicted felons, and more, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If convicted, the potential maximum prison sentence for the 19 defendants ranges from 10 years to life in prison.

The 12 additional suspects were arrested on state charges, according to the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office. Those defendants faced similar charges at the state level, such as drug possession, drug trafficking, theft, possessing a gun as a felon and more. Three of those suspects were arrested in Alabama.

“Over the years, the Zohannon gang, Crips gang, and other criminal gang enterprises, have attempted to cripple the quality of life for the Citizens of Muscogee County,” Countryman said in a statement Thursday. “ ... Over the past two years, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating the Zohannon gang and other criminal gang enterprises. We have worked in partnership with the FBI, DEA, and other critical law enforcement partners, to leverage our resources to silence gangs in our community.”

Federal investigations prompted lockdowns in Columbus

The various law enforcement agencies involved began “court authorized” arrests and searches Thursday morning. While few details were initially available, the FBI and the Muscogee County School District confirmed some of the activity was near schools, and all MCSD schools were placed in a “soft lockdown” as a result. That lockdown was lifted at 9:45 a.m.

The FBI emphasized that “this was not related to any school activities or properties,” officials said, and there was no reason to be concerned for public safety Thursday.

Tiffany Wilson, community engagement coordinator for Chattahoochee Valley Libraries said the local library branches in Muscogee County were “remaining vigilant by staying updated on any developments throughout the day” but they weren’t on a lockdown. As a precaution, outdoor programming was moved indoors for the day.

Countryman announced more details into the investigation would be made available at a news conference Friday morning.