Peachtree City Police Wednesday afternoon announced the arrest of eight female students from J.C. Booth Middle School and one female student from McIntosh High School on felony charges on gang-related offenses. The gang referred to themselves as the “Blood Divas.” The investigation by Peachtree City Police began after reports of gang activity surfaced Sunday.
The arrests of the eight female students from Booth and the one female student from McIntosh High School, all ages 13-15, on gang-related offenses were the culmination of an investigation by the Peachtree City Police Department concerning a series of complaints made by other students and school officials, said department spokesperson Rosanna Dove. The complaints included reports of harassment, threats, bullying and weapons-related offenses, Dove said.
The gang activity by the girls, at least in part, included the use of the colors pink and black, Dove said, adding that the girls were “beating in” new members. Dove said the juveniles were using the name “Blood Divas” to identify themselves.
The weapons charges, said Dove, pertained to a bludgeon-type object rather than firearms or edged weapons. Commenting on the bludgeon-type object, Fayette County School System spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach in question was a “two-finger ring,” adding that the school system does not consider the ring to be a weapon.
Dove said the offenders, all juveniles, were charged with the following offenses:
Juvenile #1, age 14, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity and felony terroristic threats.
Juvenile #2, age 14, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity, carrying weapons on school property (felony), terroristic threats (felony) and misdemeanor simple battery.
Juvenile #3, age 15, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity, and felony terroristic threats.
Juvenile #4, age 13, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity, terroristic threats (felony) and misdemeanor simple battery.
Juvenile #5, age 13, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity, terroristic threats (felony) and misdemeanor simple battery.
Juvenile #6, age 15, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity, terroristic threats (felony) and misdemeanor simple battery.
Juvenile #7, age 13, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity.
Juvenile #8, age 14, was charged with felony terroristic threats.
Juvenile #9, age 13, was charged with felony criminal street gang activity and felony terroristic threats.
Dove said police began receiving information about the gang activity on Sunday. Investigators amassed additional information into Tuesday, said Dove, adding that the arrests were made Wednesday morning.
Dove said all the girls live in Peachtree City and all were released to the custody of their parents subsequent to their arrests.
Berry-Dreisbach said the school system became aware of potential gang-related issues when Booth Assistant Principal Jennifer Couch was told by students that they had been told that other children had been threatened and that a group of girls were wearing the same colors. Couch was also told that a gang might be forming, Berry-Dreisbach said.
Berry-Dreisbach said that, according to school system policy and depending on the infraction,, the girls might face short-term suspension, long-term suspension, transfer or expulsion.
Anyone with information that would assist the police in this or any other incidents is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510 or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline, 770-487-6010. You may remain anonymous.
