Court filings have unveiled that Savannah rapper Quando Rondo, whose real name is Tyquian Bowman, is allegedly affiliated with multiple criminal street gangs. The Southern District of Georgia’s attorneys have submitted a notice in federal court, indicating their intention to call expert witnesses specializing in criminal street gangs and drug distribution. This move is part of the ongoing case against Bowman.
The 20-page notice, filed by U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg, requests the court to permit testimony from two special agents with the Savannah-Chatham Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) and two forensic chemists from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These experts specialize in drug distribution analysis, drug identification, firearms technical analysis, and criminal street gangs.
The notice, dated June 7, provides detailed allegations about Bowman’s gang affiliations. According to the U.S. attorneys, Bowman is a member of the Crips Criminal Street Gang, specifically the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, Only Tha Mob (OTM), and Jumpout Gang (JOG). The document claims that OTM and JOG are neighborhood-based gangs in Savannah associated with the Crips, which is headquartered in California. The notice also cites evidence from Bowman’s social media, online interviews, recorded intercepts, and video recordings to support these allegations.
This filing is the latest development in the federal case against Bowman, which began when the indictment was unsealed on December 11, 2023. The U.S. Attorneys are focusing on Bowman’s alleged gang involvement as they pursue the case. No hearing has been scheduled yet.
Bowman, known as Quando Rondo, has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances. The indictment alleges that starting in January 2021, Bowman conspired with two co-defendants to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana. At the time of his federal arrest, Bowman was out on bond for local charges.
On June 14, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Bowman for conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, Violation of Street Gang Terrorism Act, illegal use of a communication facility, and another count of conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. The indictment claims Bowman is a member of the Rollin’ 60s gang and that he solicited fellow gang members for guns and arranged a marijuana sale in Macon, Georgia.
Less than two months after the federal indictment was unsealed, Chatham County Superior Court Judge Tammy Stokes placed Bowman’s upcoming trial on a dead docket at the request of Assistant District Attorney Louis Annunziata. This move postpones the case indefinitely but allows the court to reinstate it at any time.
In a separate incident, Bowman was arrested by Savannah Police on February 6 and booked into the Chatham County Detention Center for an incident on July 19, 2023. He was charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence of drugs. This case has not yet been bound up to Superior Court, with a misdemeanor docket scheduled for June 13.
Bowman was granted bail by Judge Tammy Stokes after being indicted on street gang and drug charges. The bail was set at $100,000, and the judge noted that Bowman has significant ties to the community. During the hearing, Bowman’s lawyers presented a letter from his record label, Atlantic Records, voicing support for the rapper.
Prosecutors argued that Bowman was a leader of the Rollin’ 60s street gang, making him a danger to the community. However, Judge Stokes granted bond, stating that no significant evidence indicated Bowman’s travel would prevent him from appearing in court. Under the terms of his bond, Bowman cannot contact any of the 18 co-defendants listed in the indictment, must surrender his passport, and cannot use firearms or illegal drugs.
This is not the first time Bowman has faced accusations of gang activity. In 2017, he was convicted of a non-violent felony for possession of a firearm by a minor. In 2019, the state attempted to revoke his probation, alleging involvement in street gang activity, but ultimately dropped the petition.
Recently, Bowman was involved in a car wreck on the Truman Parkway, where he rear-ended another vehicle, causing his car to roll several times. EMS personnel administered Narcan after Bowman showed signs of an overdose. Despite this incident, Judge Stokes did not revoke his bond but imposed new restrictions, including hiring a full-time driver and submitting to drug screenings.
Bowman faces numerous charges related to his alleged leadership of the Rollin’ 60s gang and violations of Georgia’s street gang terrorism and prevention act. Following his arrest in June, he was released on a $100,000 bond, supported by a letter from Atlantic Records.
