Houston County man sentenced for gang activity and drug possession with intent to distribute

HOUSTON COUNTY — Airrick Middlebrooks, 30, was convicted of aggravated assault, violating the street gang terrorism and prevention act and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He was sentenced to 20 years, the first 12 to be served in prison. 

These charges come from an incident that occurred on August 7, 2024, after Middlebrooks shot a gun at his neighbor. 

“According to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Middlebrooks got into a confrontation with a neighbor about some trash. During the argument with the neighbor, Middlebrooks fired a handgun multiple times at the victim, telling the victim ‘That’s on GD,’” a media release said. “The victim was unharmed. An investigation into Middlebrooks’ social media uncovered evidence of his affiliation with the Gangster Disciples gang (‘GD’).” 

The release said MiddleBrooks pled guilty to drug charges as he was involved in a “drug selling operation” in a Warner Robins home. Houston County Sheriff’s Office investigated this as well and executed a search warrant on the house back in January 2022, with Middlebrooks and others in the house. 

“Methamphetamine, drug distribution paraphernalia, and firearms were recovered by law enforcement,” the release said. 

Assistant District Attorney Juston Duane, Lina Khan and Mike Smith prosecuted the case. Duane offered comments on the case: 

“Gang members go hand in hand with violence and drugs. Today, we have one less gang member on the streets of Houston County,” he said. “The Defendant will spend the next twelve years of his life in prison as a result of his own behavior. If you want to be a gang member in Houston County, and do gang things, we have a prison cell waiting for you.” 

Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards also commented: 

“This case is a textbook example of the danger that gang activity poses to a community. Middlebrooks was not just involved in drugs— he was willing to fire a gun at a neighbor during a dispute and openly invoke a gang affiliation while doing so. That combination of firearms, narcotics, and gang allegiance is precisely what fuels some of the most dangerous violence we see,” he said. “Let me be clear: gang activity will not be tolerated in Houston County. If you choose a gang lifestyle, you are choosing prison. The special gang conditions imposed in this sentence are intentional, and they exist to break the cycle of intimidation, retaliation, and drug trafficking that criminal street gangs rely on to survive.”