Two of three members of the rap group Migos were released on bond Monday after being arrested on drug and gun charges during a Saturday night concert at Georgia Southern University. Kiari Kendrell Cephus, 23, Brook Forest Drive, Lawrenceville, known by the stage name "Offset," remains in the Bulloch County Jail without bond due to his previous criminal history, said Bulloch County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jared Akins. Cephus is charged with marijuana possession, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Two other Migos members, Kirshnick Khari Ball, 20, Saddle Shoals Drive, Lawrenceville, known by the stage name "Takeoff", and Quavious Keyatz Marshall, 24, Rye House Court, Lawrenceville, known by the stage name "Quavo," were released on bonds of $10,000 each, he said. They were each charged with marijuana possession, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. When the rap artists arrived at Georgia Southern University's Hanner Fieldhouse Saturday evening for the Spring Bling concert, law enforcement there for security and safety reasons smelled a "very potent" odor of marijuana emanating from the two vans in which the group arrived, said Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson in a statement released Sunday. The rappers went inside for the show, but in the meantime, Statesboro-Bulloch County Crime Suppression Team members searched the vans, questioned the drivers and located marijuana, a Schedule II controlled substance and several guns, he said. While TMZ and other media sources reported the drugs found included cocaine and Oxycontin, Akins said those drugs were not located and the rappers, along with several others charged in the incident, were not charged with cocaine or Oxycontin possession. Two people were arrested before the concert, but on misdemeanor charges unrelated to the rappers' charges, Anderson said. A total of 15 people were arrested in connection to the concert incident.
Reputation didn't sway decision
Migos, an Atlanta-based hip hop group, has a reputation for violence at concerts. According to media reports, six people were stabbed and a woman was beaten and robbed during and after a concert March 7 in Albany, NY; a brawl followed when someone snatched a gold chain from Marshall's neck at a Nashville concert in September, and in March 2014, the band's van was riddled with bullets in a drive by shooting in Miami after someone pulled up and opened fire. Band members returned fire, reports stated. Marshall later released a profanity-laced song called "Tha Truth," which addressed the chain-snatching incident and a long-standing feud between he and another rap artist, Chief Keef, according to Internet website Xxlmag.com.Georgia Southern University officials were aware of the band's reputation, but "didn't want to override the students" who wanted the rappers to perform at GSU, said Jan Bond, GSU's associate vice president of marketing and communications. The "Office of Student Activity's staff and the associate vice president for student affairs and enrollment management coordinated the event with the University Programming Board, a student-led organization," Bond said Monday. "They advised and encouraged the programming board to consider the issues surrounding Migos." Students voted to bring Migos to the university, she said. About 2,050 students cast votes, selecting Migos from a list of seven groups - Migos, Rich Homie Quan, We the Kings, August Alsina, Magic!, Karmin and Dom Kennedy. More than 40 percent of students who voted chose Migos, she said. On the ballot, students were asked to vote for their choice. The ballot read, in part, "Voting is only one piece of the selection process. We will take the student vote into consideration when choosing an artist. Other factors that determine which artist is ultimately chosen to perform include, but are not limited to, cost, ticket sales history, and availability." Bond did not know Monday how much the Migos were to be paid. She said they had not yet been paid for the concert and "the contract is under review." The band contracted to perform about 45 minutes, but only performed about 30 minutes before leaving the stage, she said. That's when police began arresting people. Bond said she believes the rappers may have planned to return to the stage for an encore performance. University officials "had lots of discussions" with the University Programming Board about the Migo's reputation, but since student fees paid for the concert and the rap artists were "clearly their choice ... the university moved forward to provide the safest event they could," Bond said. With about 2,000 people attending the concert, there was a major police presence including Crime Suppression Team members, university police, Statesboro police, Bulloch County sheriff's deputies and Georgia State Patrol troopers, Akins said. Bond pointed out "there were no incidents" other than the concert-related charges, with the exception of the two misdemeanor arrests prior to the show. Law enforcement agencies involved in security for the concert are in the process of figuring up the costs to each department for the assistance offered, according to Akins and Statesboro Police Cpl. Justin Samples. Those totals were not available Monday.
Arrests
Aside from Marshall, Ball and Cephus, others arrested Friday include: Willie Evans Bland, 28, Pinola Avenue, Columbus - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Demetrius Deandre Carter, 23, Park Lake Lane, Norcross - carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, marijuana possession.Travius Monte Holloway, 25, Donald Avenue, Richmond Heights, Ohio - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.Michael Dewayne Milhouse, 23, Marshes Glenn Drive, Norcross - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Jerel Jemer Nance, 24, Chandon Lane, Lawrenceville - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Dimitri Lesley Roger, 22, Station Club Drive, Marietta - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Gregory Smith, 47, Rye House Court, Lawrenceville - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Antoine Raynard Carter, 25, Oak Street, Atlanta - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction.Shannon Lashay Jackson, 25, Peachtree Creek Circle, Atlanta - marijuana possession, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony). Antonio Bernard Morgan, 22, Glendale Drive, Glendale - marijuana possession, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony). Shelton Nesbitt, 42, Torero Trail, Newnan - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (felony). Kevin Markees Purnell, 22, Northside Drive, Atlanta - marijuana possession, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Tavon Alfonso Williams, 19, Opie Lane, Lawrenceville - marijuana possession, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone (felony). Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.
Source: http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/1/article/67224/
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