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FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Six people, including a detention officer, have been charged with conspiracy to kill two Fulton County jail officers and involvement in drug and firearms crimes, according to federal prosecutors.

The defendants include 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 as “Rico Reflection” and “Rice Rico”) and Jayden Barnes (also known as “Swipe” and “El Swiper”) were each allegedly involved in a scheme to eliminate prison staff who disrupted their illegal drugs . and smuggling operations within the prison system.

The group is accused of coordinating the murder-for-hire plot from inside and outside the prison walls, agreeing to pay hitmen $1,000 each to execute targeted officers. US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan condemned the alleged actions as a “cruel disregard for human life” and emphasized the importance of federal, state and local partnerships in thwarting the scheme. “Prosecuting threats of violence against law enforcement officers in the line of duty is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” Buchanan said.

The indictment details a complex conspiracy involving Alford, a pretrial inmate at the Fulton County Jail who allegedly worked with Freeman, who is currently serving time for armed robbery at Valdosta State Prison, and Baker, a detention officer at prison. Authorities report that contraband cell phones were used to communicate between the conspirators inside the facilities.

Officials say the plan was foiled when the targeted officers noticed tracking devices attached to their vehicles. According to the indictment, Pearson and Barnes were allegedly recruited to commit the murders, and several suspects are linked to the GoodFellas gang.

“This indictment underscores the serious nature of the allegations and the importance of accountability,” said Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat. “It is unthinkable and deplorable that one of our detention officers would conspire to have one or more of his colleagues killed.”

On October 22, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment, which was unsealed on November 4. The indictment includes charges of conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

List of fees:

• Wayne Alford27, of Milledgeville: Two counts of conspiracy to commit murder on one’s own account, drug trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
• Matthew Freeman26, of Glennville: Two counts of conspiracy to commit murder on one’s own account, drug trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
• Latasha Baker38, of Hampton: Two counts of conspiracy to commit murder on one’s own account, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking and conspiracy to carry a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
• Jaheim Arnold21, of Atlanta: Two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking conspiracy and additional firearms charges.
• Carlos Pearson33, of College Park: Two counts of conspiracy to commit murder on one’s own account.
• Jayden Barnes19, of Atlanta: Two counts of conspiracy to commit murder on one’s own account.

Acting FBI Special Agent Sean Burke expressed relief that the plot was discovered before officers could come to harm. “We are extremely grateful that this plot was foiled,” Burke said.

The case is being handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew R. LaGrone and Teresa M. Stolze will lead the prosecution.