The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and other unnamed agencies raided Court Square Towers on Thursday morning.
FBI Media Coordinator Katie Greenleaf declined to identify what business was being targeted. From the street, law enforcement personnel could be seen coming in and out of the J5 GBL offices. A law enforcement source, speaking to The Dispatch on condition of anonymity, confirmed that J5 was the target of the raid.
J5 President Antwann Richardson hung up when contacted by a Dispatch reporter by telephone. J5 founder Jabari Edwards did not answer the phone.
Greenleaf and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Nicole Dunn would not comment on the purpose of the raid.
“Currently we are engaged in court-authorized law enforcement activity,” Greenleaf said. “There is no threat to the community and we should be able to give you more information at a later date.”
Greenleaf would neither confirm nor deny whether any arrests had been made. She would not comment on what, if anything, had been seized from the building.
When asked if the raid was targeting J5, Dunn would not comment.
“We’re engaged in law enforcement activity at the building that you’ve identified, and that’s the only statement we’re prepared to make this morning,” she said.
Greenleaf would not comment on any possible charges that may arise.
When asked if the raid was related to Department of the Treasury action, Dunn said she could not release any additional information at that time.
Greenleaf would not identify what agencies were participating, beyond saying, “We have many state, local and federal agencies assisting today.”
Only the FBI and LCSO were clearly identifiable.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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