An eighth person was indicted and charged in what law enforcement officials say began as a drug deal and ended in a death.
“Basically this case boils down to a drug deal and a robbery gone bad,” Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said. “The message we are sending is everyone involved is being charged. Everyone involved in this case is young. That is who needs to get the message.”
Emma Gabrielle Ferguson, 20, of Jasper became the eighth person charged in the death of Mallory Warden.
Ferguson joins three other women and four men facing charges.
Sheriff Nicholson said Ferguson and Warden and two other women were meeting up Sept. 18, with four men, Gray Anthony McClure, 21, Robert Gabriel Shoilekov, 17, Davonnte Lavon Brehon, 18, and Anthony Jared Inestruza Whisnant, 19, on Talona Road to sell THC vape cartridges.
“What they were doing was they had prearranged a drug deal,” Nicholson said. “Their intent was to rob [the women].”
He said the investigation determined Ferguson was driving the vehicle with Warden and the two other women.
When the women realized they were being robbed, they attempted to flee the scene. One of the four men fired into the vehicle hitting Warden. Nicholson did not identify the shooter.
“We believe there was only one who shot into the vehicle as it sped away,” he said.
At 10:50 p.m., deputies and EMS responded to a 911 call of a person being shot. They found Warden, 19, of Jasper, in a vehicle on South Main Street, Ellijay, near the old Kiker’s Supply, with a gunshot wound.
Warden was taken to the hospital where she later died.
Ferguson was arrested Nov. 15, and charged with felony murder, possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute, attempt to violate the Georgia controlled substances act, violation of Georgia controlled substances act and two counts of illegal use of communication facility.
Gray Anthony McClure, 21, Robert Gabriel Shoilekov, 17, Davonnte Lavon Brehon, 18, and Anthony Jared Inestruza Whisnant, 19, all of Ellijay, were previously charged with felony murder in the death of Warden.
Madison Alina Grace Perez, 19, of Ellijay, was charged with felony murder. Elizabeth “Rylie” Sue Henson, 17, of Ball Ground, was charged with felony robbery. Aspen Leigh Cagle, 15, of Ball Ground, was charged with felony murder and felony robbery.
“This gangster lifestyle doesn’t work out,” said Nicholson. “Bad things happen, people die and people go to jail.”
The investigation is winding down, but he did not rule out more arrests.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 706-635-4646 or “Submit a Tip” via the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.