SUPERIOR COURT
A defendant arrested during the investigation of a 2021 murder case with connections to a Milledgeville gang entered a guilty plea in Jones County Superior Court.
Rico Anthony Cain was in Jones County Superior Court April 6 to enter his plea and received sentences of 10 years each for the violation of street gang and terrorism and prevention act and the sale of marijuana.
The sentences are to run concurrently for a total of 10 years with the first year served in confinement. The remainder of sentence may be served on probation. Cain received credit for time served from his April 3, 2022, arrest.
The case was prosected by Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore, and Cain was represented by public defender Tom O’Donnell.
Fiore gave the facts of the case that started with the investigation of the May 15, 2021, shooting death of Jada Simmons at a party on Nitrogen Road in Jones County that included gang members from a Milledgeville street gang.
The prosecutor said videos from the party showed members of the gang, and Cain could be seen selling marijuana. She said the purpose of the party was to recruit gang members.
Fiore added that a condition of the plea agreement with Cain is his testimony against Jeremy Xavier Butts, who is charged with Simmons’ murder.
Cain was indicted April 5, 2022, by a Jones County Grand Jury on the street gang and marijuana charges. Five other gang members were also indicted as a result of the videos from the May 15, 2021, party.
Xavier Sharnard Dixon was indicted on charges of possession firearm by convicted felon and violation of street gang terrorism and prevention act.
Adrian James Moore was indicted for violation of street gang terrorism and prevention act and reckless conduct.
Alek Suquan Perry was indicted for violation of street gang terrorism and prevention act and reckless conduct.
Krishun Markeith Williams was indicted for violation of street gang terrorism and prevention act and possession of firearm by convicted felon.
Layto Lamont Hill was indicted for possession firearm by convicted felon and violation of street gang terrorism and prevention act.
Butts was booked into the Jones County Law Enforcement Center May 27, 2021, and charged with murder in the death of 20-year-old Simmons. He was 26 at the time of his arrest.
The shooting was reported to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office at 3 a.m., May 16, 2021. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene from a single gunshot wound to the head. Butts apparently fled after the shooting and was arrested May 18 in El Paso, Texas, by U.S. Marshals. Lt. Ed Bailey and Sgt. Travis Walker with the Jones County Sheriff’s Office drove to El Paso and brought Butts back to Jones County.
JCSO Investigator Crystal Murphy was on call May 16 when the call about the shooting came in. She said the information she received was that one person had been shot, and she contacted two other investigators to meet her there.
The subsequent investigation showed the large party was attended by an estimated 150-250 people, most of whom were from Milledgeville, and a flyer advertising the party contained a reference to the Piru gang.
Individuals who attended the party placed Butts there with his sister and pointed to him as the shooter.
