Another name has been added to the list of those charged in connection with the murder of Mallory Lyric Warden, 19, of Jasper, bringing the total number of suspects to eight.
After indictment from a Gilmer County grand jury, authorities say Emma Gabrielle Ferguson, 20, of Jasper, has been charged with felony murder, possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute, attempt to violate the Georgia controlled substances act, violation of Georgia controlled substances act and two counts of illegal use of communication facility.
Warden was found in her vehicle with a gunshot wound at the 200 block of South Main Street in Ellijay on Wednesday, Sept. 18. She was transported to the hospital, where she died. Authorities later determined the shooting took place on Talona Road in Gilmer County.
Both Aspen Leigh Cagle, 15, of Ball Ground and Madison Alina Grace Perez, 19, of Ellijay, were charged with felony murder in connection with the crime in late October. And Elizabeth “Rylie” Sue Henson, 17, of Ball Ground was also arrested and charged with felony robbery around that time.
Following the arrests in October, Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said authorities believe the teens had conspired to commit a string of robberies in the area.
“These charges stem from this entire group conspiring to commit and committing a series of armed robberies between Ellijay and Jasper,” Nicholson said. “Unfortunately, Mallory Warden was killed during one of these planned robberies.”
Others charged
On Sept. 20, officers arrested Gray Anthony McClure, 21, of Ellijay; Robert Gabriel Shoilekov, 17, of Ellijay; and Davonnte Lavon Brehon, 18, of Ellijay, on felony murder charges for their alleged role in Warden’s death.
Anthony Jared Inestruza Whisnant, 19, of Ellijay, also was arrested on Saturday, Sept. 21, and was also charged with felony murder in connection with the shooting.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is spearheading the investigation into Warden’s murder, along with detectives from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866, the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 706-635-4646, or submit a tip through the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.
