Six Individuals Indicted for Conspiring to Murder Fulton County Detention Officers

Press Release

Wayne Alford, Latasha Baker, Matthew Freeman, also known as "Coach Poker," "Pokerface Matt," and "Gotti Freeman," Jaheim Arnold, also known as "Slime" and "Toppslime," Carlos Pearson, also known as "Rico Reflection" and "Rice Rico," and Jayden Barnes, also known as "Swipe" and "El Swiper," have been indicted for conspiracy to murder two Fulton County Jail detention officers in exchange for payment, and for other drug and firearms offenses.

"These defendants demonstrated a callous disregard for human life when allegedly plotting to murder detention officers who threatened their illegal drug and contraband activity at the Fulton County Jail," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "Our office is especially proud of the critical federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships that made this successful investigation and indictment possible. Prosecuting threats of violence against law enforcement officials during the performance of their duties is a top priority for the Department of Justice and those who engage in such offenses will be held accountable."

"No law enforcement officer should have to be fearful for their life simply because they are carrying out their sworn duties," said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "We are extremely grateful that this plot was foiled before harm could come to either of the targeted individuals. The FBI and our partners will relentlessly pursue the harshest punishment for the individuals involved in this crime."

"It is unthinkable and deplorable that one of our detention officers would conspire to have one or more of her co-workers killed," said Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat. "This indictment underscores the serious nature of the allegations and the importance of accountability. We must ensure that those who are entrusted with public safety adhere to the highest standards of conduct, and any breach of that trust will be met with swift justice."

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictment, and other information presented in court: Wayne Alford, a pretrial detainee at the Fulton County Jail - South Annex, allegedly conspired with others, both in and out of prison, to kill at least two detention officers who had interfered with his contraband and narcotics trafficking operations.

Latasha Baker, a detention officer at the Fulton County Jail and Matthew Freeman, who was serving a sentence for armed robbery at Valdosta State Prison, allegedly agreed with Alford to hire and pay individuals to kill the detention officers. The conspirators communicated using contraband cell phones from inside the jail and prison.

Carlos Pearson and Jayden Barnes allegedly agreed to commit the murders for $1,000 each. The plot was thwarted when the targeted detention officers detected tracking devices attached to the bottom of their vehicles. Several of the conspirators are known to be members of the GoodFellas gang.

A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment on October 22, 2024, that was unsealed on November 4, 2024. The defendants were charge in the indictment as follows:

• Wayne Alford, 27, of Milledgeville, Georgia, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, one count of drug trafficking conspiracy, and one count of conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
• Matthew Freeman, 26, of Glennville, Georgia, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, one count of drug trafficking conspiracy, and one count of conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
• Latasha Baker, 38, of Hampton, Georgia, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, one count of drug trafficking conspiracy, and one count of conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
• Jaheim Arnold, 21, of Atlanta, Georgia, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire, one count of drug trafficking conspiracy, and one count of conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He was also charged with one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
• Carlos Pearson, 33, of College Park, Georgia, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire.
• Jayden Barnes, 19, of Atlanta, Georgia was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for hire.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove the defendants' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew R. LaGrone and Teresa M. Stolze are prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Updated November 5, 2024