Operation Zero Tolerance is a success after local and federal law enforcement examined the streets of Columbus this past weekend to provide high law enforcement visibility in areas identified with high level gang activity and to seek and arrest gang members with active felony warrants.

The operation cleared 5 felony arrest warrants and 3 misdemeanor warrants. Law enforcement seized 3 firearms, 2 of which were stolen. They also were able to seize 146 grams of marijuana, 14 grams of cocaine, 35 Ecstasy pills and $2,371.75 cash. Three confirmed chases occurred on Sunday in a 3 hour period. Hundreds of traffic stops were also performed.

A total of 6 people were arrested, 5 of them which were gang members.

35-year-old Christopher Darnell Harper was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Ecstasy. 27-year-old Rufus Beltran Alston was charged with Theft by Receiving, Possession of a Stolen Firearm. 34-year-old Devion Jamal Alexander was charged with Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer (x2), Violation of Probation, Possession/Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of Ecstasy, Possession of Marijuana, Driving While License Suspended, and Reckless Driving and is now pending extradition from the Russell County Jail.

Also arrested was 31-year-old Anthony Jerell Penn charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. 18-year-old Jykeiveous Jiles was charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Marrijuana. 34-year-old Eulean Clarissa Smith was charged with three counts of Forgery Warrant.

Sheriff Greg Countryman said in a press release, “In 2021, as an agency, we had to take a serious look at where we were, where we need to be, and what will it take for us to get Muscogee County where it needs to be. 2022 will be the year of implementation for the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, with operations such as OPERATION ZERO TOLERANCE being conducted on a regular basis. We will continue to strategically identify, seek, and remove from the community, those individuals who are engaging in any gang-related criminal activity. Such proactive and decisive operations are long overdue in Muscogee County.”

Georgia State Patrol, Columbus Police Department, and Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office were all involved in the 3-day operation.