Two plead guilty in gang-related RICO case

Two of the seven defendants who were set to have their day in court in a gang-related RICO trial next month pleaded guilty to charges Thursday in Laurens County Superior Court.

Gerez Duty, also known as “OG Duty” or “20Gauge,” and Gregory Floyd, also known as “7eventimez,” entered their pleas before Chief Judge Jon Helton.       

Duty, the man believed to be the founder and one of the street leaders of Money Power Loyalty gang, or MPL, was was sentenced to 25 years, to serve 12, concurrent with the prison sentence he is currently serving.  

He was charged with one count of violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations act and one count of conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act.

Duty, who was 26 when he was charged by the Georgia Attorney’s Office in January 2024, made his plea on a Zoom call, during which he answered questions from Helton. 

“I will accept his plea,” the judge said, adding that he would go along with the recommended sentence by the Georgia Attorney General’s Office. 

Floyd was sentenced to 30 years, to serve 15. He was 21 when he was charged with one count of attempted murder, seven counts of aggravated assault, four counts of violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, one count of conspiracy to violate the racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and one count of criminal damage to property in the first degree. His total sentence was 30 years to serve 15. 

Officials with the Georgia Attorney’s Office said the case is still pending. This leaves five men from the original indictment. According to Helton, who discussed trial plans with the Laurens County Commissioners last month, the RICO trial is expected to be held in May.