Who is Tyreek Lester and why was he wanted?
Tyreek Keith Lester, 24, is a suspected gang member who was indicted along with Savannah rapper Quando Rondo and 17 others on gang and drug charges in Chatham County, Georgia. He was wanted for conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, violation of street gang terrorism act, and other offenses. He had been on the run since June 2023, when the indictment was announced.
How did the standoff happen and how did it end?
On Friday, August 14, 2023, Hardeeville Police detectives spotted Lester on Jenkins Avenue in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Lester ran into a home on the 1700 block of Jenkins Avenue and barricaded himself inside with his girlfriend and his two-year-old son. He refused to exit the home and would not allow his girlfriend or son to leave.
Hardeeville Police Department posted on Facebook that Lester was suspected to be armed and that they were working with other agencies to resolve the situation peacefully. After an extended period of time, Lester surrendered to detectives and agents. His girlfriend and son were safely removed from the home.
What did the police find in the home and what charges is Lester facing now?
During a search warrant, police found quantities of suspected narcotics and a modified fully-auto Glock pistol in the home. Lester was served with the following warrants and is pending extradition on other charges:
- Fugitive From Justice
- Failure to Stop for Blue Lights x2
- Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child
- PWITD of a Scheduled II Controlled Substance
- Possession of Schedule II
- Possession of a Machine Gun
- Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act
- Violation of Street Gang Terrorism Act
Lester is one of 19 people who were indicted in Chatham County for drug charges, gang affiliation and illegal use of cellphones. Savannah rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman, is also named in the indictment. He is accused of being a leader of the Never Broke Again (NBA) gang, which allegedly distributed cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs in Chatham County.
What is the status of Quando Rondo and the other suspects?
Quando Rondo was arrested in June 2023 after a judge revoked his bond for violating his curfew. He had been out on bond since November 2020, when he was involved in a shooting that killed rapper King Von in Atlanta. He is currently awaiting trial for his gang and drug charges.
The other suspects in the indictment are:
- Jashawn Marquise Scott
- Devante White
- Deandre Leonard Brown
- Kenneth Bowen III
- Tevin Jermaine Scott
- Jaquez Mikell Bowman
- Darius Devon Bowman
- Tyshon Najee Bowman
- Javon Bowman
- Jalen Bowman
- Trequan Bowman
- Tyjuan Mikell Bowman
- Tyshawn Mikell Bowman
- Tyquavious Mikell Bowman
- Tykeem Mikell Bowman
- Tysheem Mikell Bowman
- Tyree Mikell Bowman
Some of them have been arrested while others are still at large.
