Staff Reports

Media Contact: Joe Chesnut – Special Agent in Charge

Joe.chesnut@gbi.ga.gov

GBI Makes arrests in Multiple Cordele Homicide Cases

Cordele, GA (April 3rd, 2024) –

On Thursday September 21st, 2023, at approximately 10:00 P.M. officers of the Cordele Police Department responded to the 1000 block of Tulip Ave after several calls were made to 911 in which residents heard numerous gunshots.

Upon officers’ arrival, they were flagged down by a group of people at a residence where the victim was located. There, they found a nineteen-year-old Cordele man identified as RONDARRIUS WEDGES that had sustained numerous gunshots sitting inside of a vehicle. Emergency lifesaving efforts were unfortunately unsuccessful. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with the investigation along with Cordele Police Department Criminal Investigative Division.

Agents and Detectives conducted numerous interviews, search warrants and neighborhood canvases to identify the responsible suspect(s).

On Thursday March 28th, 2024, LEE SAVAGE III, age 21, was arrested and charged with Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault for the death of WEDGES. SAVAGE III was incarcerated in the Crisp County Jail on unrelated charges.

On 01-05-2024, shortly before 1:00 a.m. in the morning, officers with the Cordele Police Department were dispatched to Hilltop Apartments in the 200 block of W 24th Ave to a shooting call.

Upon the arrival of officers, they located one male gunshot victim later identified as DAVIEON LAVANT. Crisp County EMS arrived and transported the thirty-year-old male victim to Crisp Regional Hospital for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, life-saving attempts were unsuccessful, and the victim succumbed to his injuries.

Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were requested to assist in the investigation. During the course of the investigation, information was obtained to establish probable cause for the issuance of multiple arrest warrants.

JAYVEON ROYAL 21 years of old was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

1. Felony Murder

2. Aggravated Assault

3. Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.

In addition, KAVIEN BUTLER 19 years old was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

1. Party to the Crime of Felony Murder

2. Party to the Crime of Aggravated Assault

The Cordele Police Department, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Community Supervision, and the Mid-South Narcotics Task Force assisted with these investigations.

These cases are being prosecuted by District Attorney Brad Rigby of the Cordele Judicial Circuit. As these cases remain active, we ask anyone with information about these incidents to please contact the Cordele Police Department at 229-276-2921 or non-emergency 911 at 229-276-2690, the GBI Region 3 Office at 229-931-2439 , the GBI Tipline 1.800-597-8477 or online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.