Defendants charged in Richmond, McDuffie and Bibb counties 

ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units have secured three separate indictments charging eight individuals in Richmond, McDuffie and Bibb counties. The defendants include Jimmy Lavont Mance, Larry James Mance, Shawanna Brown Mance, Christopher Jerome Carter, Moses Lavar Leverette, John Peyton Norman, Robert Richard Vantassell and Kathleen Angel Lowery. Together, they are alleged to have conspired to traffic a 17-year-old female throughout the state. The victim was previously reported as missing and recovered by law enforcement in December 2025. Several of the defendants are also facing gang charges.

Both Carr’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units have regional offices in Macon and Augusta.

“This is exactly what happens when all levels of law enforcement work together to do one thing – keep Georgians safe,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “With our Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units, we’re fighting each day to remove violent criminals and predators from our streets, and this is just the latest example. With each new case, we’re sending a message – if you come after our children, we’re coming for you.”

This case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Thomson Regional Investigative Office and the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units. The following law enforcement agencies also provided critical assistance: McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office, Thomson Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service.

“Human trafficking is an evil that has no place in Georgia,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The indictment of these eight individuals demonstrates our commitment to protecting victims and holding traffickers accountable. We will continue to work alongside the Georgia Attorney General’s Office and our law enforcement partners to investigate these heinous crimes and pursue justice for those who have been exploited.”

“Human trafficking does not respect jurisdictional boundaries,” said Thomson Police Chief Dan Carrier. “This investigation demonstrates the strength, commitment, and coordinated efforts required to ensure these crimes are thoroughly investigated and that survivors receive the support and resources they deserve. The Thomson Police Department remains committed to working alongside the Attorney General’s Office and our local, state, and federal partners in the ongoing fight against human trafficking. Together, we will continue to pursue those responsible, protect victims and survivors, and work to ensure that those who engage in human trafficking are held accountable.”

“The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have played a role in this significant investigation and to stand alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in protecting victims and holding those responsible accountable,” said Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley. “Human trafficking and criminal gang activity have no place in our communities, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to investigate these crimes, protect vulnerable victims, and pursue justice.”

“The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will always be willing to assist other law enforcement agencies in an attempt to bring justice to victims of human trafficking,” said Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle. “The Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Unit did an outstanding job overseeing a very complex case. Their work ultimately secured eight indictments involving serious organized crimes against children, and we were proud to take part in their apprehension.”

“Human trafficking is a crime that preys upon the vulnerable and often crosses jurisdictional lines, which is why cooperation among law enforcement agencies is so important,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “The recovery of this young victim and the indictments resulting from this investigation demonstrate what can be accomplished when local, state and federal partners work together. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have assisted in this effort, and we will continue working with our partners to protect victims, pursue those who exploit them, and make our communities safer.”

“This case and cases like this are the epitome of what working with our state, local, and federal partners can yield,” said Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Henson. “Because of a collaborative effort, these individuals are in jail, and the victims are free from abuse and danger. I applaud Attorney General Chris Carr and his team for helping keep our state free from gangs and human trafficking.”     

On Aug. 14, 2026, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units partnered with GBI’s Thomson Regional Investigative Office, McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office, Thomson Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to conduct simultaneous raids and arrests in McDuffie and Lincoln counties in connection with this investigation. 

The Enterprise and Racketeering Conspiracy

The defendants in this case are listed below and, together, they are alleged to have formed the criminal enterprise at the center of these indictments.  

  • Jimmy Lavont Mance, 40, of Thomson
  • Larry James Mance, 58, of Thomson
  • Shawanna Brown Mance, 47, of Augusta
  • Christopher Jerome Carter, 48, of Thomson
  • Moses Lavar Leverette, 43, of Thomson
  • John Peyton Norman, 33, of Lincolnton
  • Robert Richard Vantassell, 31, of Thomson
  • Kathleen Angel Lowery, 48, of Macon

Each defendant has been charged with at least one count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. As such, the defendants are alleged to have unlawfully conspired to participate, directly and indirectly, in the enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity. 

Case Summary

As asserted in the indictments, this case is believed to be affiliated with the Gangster Disciples, a criminal street gang that originated in Chicago. Jimmy Mance, as well as his co-defendants, are alleged to have taken explicit photos of the victim, posted advertisements of her online, transported her for the purpose of commercial sex, and benefited financially from those acts. As asserted in the indictment, Mance also assisted an adult female in prostitution by posting her commercial sex advertisements online. Following these events, Mance is further alleged to have shot his co-defendant, Christopher Carter, who sustained non-fatal injuries.

In June 2026, Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit secured an initial indictment charging Jimmy Mance with the trafficking and sexual exploitation of the missing teen in McDuffie County. This indictment has been superseded by the additional charges brought against Mance in all three of these most recent indictments. 

Richmond County Indictment 

On Aug. 18, 2026, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units presented evidence to a Richmond County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of Jimmy Mance, Larry Mance and Shawanna Mance.

Specifically, the defendants are facing the following charges. 

Jimmy Mance: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 3 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude 
  • 1 count of Pimping

Larry Mance: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude 
  • 2 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child

Shawanna Mance: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude 
  • 1 count of Pimping

McDuffie County Indictment 

On Aug. 19, 2026, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units presented evidence to a McDuffie County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of Jimmy Mance, Christopher Carter, Moses Leverette, John Norman and Robert Vantassell.

Specifically, the defendants are facing the following charges.

Jimmy Mance:

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
  • 5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act 
  • 2 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
  • 2 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child
  • 3 counts of Aggravated Assault
  • 1 count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime
  • 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Christopher Carter: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 7 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
  • 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
  • 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Moses Leverette: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
  • 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
  • 1 count of Rape

John Norman: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 4 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
  • 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude 

Robert Vantassell: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 3 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act

Bibb County Indictment 

On Aug. 20, 2026, the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units presented evidence to a Bibb County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of Jimmy Mance, Kathleen Lowery and Shawanna Mance.

Specifically, the defendants are facing the following charges.

Jimmy Mance:

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 6 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
  • 1 count of Pimping

Kathleen Lowery: 

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 3 counts of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude

Shawanna Mance:

  • 1 count of Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 
  • 1 count of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude
  • 1 count of Pimping

No further information about the investigation or the indictments may be released at this time by the Attorney General’s Office.

About the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Gang Prosecution Units

In 2019, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp and leaders in the Georgia General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created the first-of-its-kind statewide Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Since its inception, the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has secured more than 70 criminal convictions and rescued and assisted over 200 children. This Unit is based in Atlanta, with regional, satellite prosecutors and investigators in Macon and Augusta.

The Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit is housed in the Attorney General’s Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit, his White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit, and his Organized Retail Crime Unit.

Since it began its historic work on July 1, 2022, the Gang Prosecution Unit has investigated and prosecuted cases in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Bibb, Bryan, Chatham, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Dougherty, Fulton, Gwinnett, Laurens, Lowndes, Muscogee, Richmond, Spalding, Thomas, Upson and Washington counties, with more than 140 convictions secured across the state.

Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit is based in Atlanta, with regional, satellite prosecutors and investigators in Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah and Southeast Georgia.

*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.