42 charged, including multiple members of several different gangs operating throughout New Jersey
NEW JERSEY – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced criminal charges Wednesday against 42 defendants related to racketeering, violence, narcotics distribution, and federal firearms offenses. The charges stem from five separate investigations conducted by federal, state and local enforcement partners.
“Keeping New Jersey safe and reducing violent crime are core to this Office’s mission, and I have no higher priority as U.S. Attorney. The scourge of senseless gun violence plagues too many of our communities, particularly in our urban centers. We are committed to protecting the public from violent criminal organizations, and we will relentlessly hold those who harm and threaten the public accountable,” Sellinger said. “The arrests and charges announced today were achieved through my Office’s collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners through our Violent Crime Initiative. Our VCI model targets the dangerous offenders and criminal organizations throughout New Jersey who threaten the public and perpetrate violence within our most vulnerable communities.”
The Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) is a collaborative, multi-agency program designed to combine the resources of New Jersey’s federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify, target, and prosecute violent offenders and criminal organizations throughout New Jersey.
“Selflessly working and coordinating with our law enforcement partners has strengthened our ability to better protect the public from violent actors and organized criminal conduct. The charges announced today resulted from that team effort,” Sellinger said.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger also noted that shooting incidents statewide and in cities where the VCIs operate are appreciably lower than the year-to-date total from last year, including a 23% reduction statewide, a 30% reduction in Newark, 27% reduction in Jersey City, and 12% reduction in Paterson.
The following graphic reflects those reductions:
“These decreases are not a reason for anyone to rest easy or let up, but it is a positive note for our communities that have seen all too much violence,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said.
“My primary responsibility and focus as Attorney General is keeping the residents of our state safe – whether by tackling a rise in auto thefts or taking actions to prevent gun violence, including by holding violent offenders accountable,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. “Today, as a result of the efforts of various law enforcement agencies, we are once again demonstrating that effectively investigating and prosecuting violent crimes requires collaboration across local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. We are, quite simply, stronger and more effective when we collaborate, communicate, and share resources — which is precisely the type of partnerships we are fortunate to have here in New Jersey.”
Oscar Miles Housing Complex Drug Trafficking Organization
Forteen were charged by criminal complaints with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics, including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. According to the allegations in the complaints, the charged defendants participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) made up members and associates of the Grape Street Crips street gang. The organization controlled the drug trade in and around the Oscar Miles Village housing complex in Newark.
Defendant |
Age |
Residence |
Charge |
Thomas Barney | 47 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Najuwan Blake-Williams
|
23 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Altray Brown | 29 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Ali Carney | 44 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Najee Carney | 21 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Mookadean Cheeseboro | 35 | Essex County | Possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon |
Tyrone Cradle | 26 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Michael Griffin | 32 | Essex County | Possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon |
Jaquan McAllister | 21 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Ikaim McSwain | 32 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Latif Terry | 39 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Shaquan Ward | 37 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Taji Williams | 37 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
Zaid Williams | 35 | Essex County | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon |
Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips Criminal Organization
Ten members and associates of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang were recently charged by superseding indictment with participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, carjackings, robberies, non-fatal shootings, and murder. According to the allegations in the superseding indictment, from in or around 2015 through 2022, the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips criminal organization operated in Essex and Union Counties, the New Jersey prison system, and elsewhere in New Jersey and nationally. During this alleged conspiracy, several of the charged defendants committed multiple non-fatal shootings and a murder, in furtherance of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips criminal organization.
Defendant | Age | Residence | Charge |
Jason Franklin, aka “Freak,” aka “OG Freak” |
38 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm |
Elijah Williams, aka “Lil Smith” |
22 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Tre Byrd, aka “Bands,” aka “G Bandz” |
21 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Kareem Green, aka “Try Me” |
31 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Tyheim Terry, aka “Ty,” aka “Rollin’ Ty” |
24 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy, Carjacking, possession of firearm in furtherance of crime of violence |
Amir Warden, aka “Stampz,” aka “Killa” |
30 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Rahjon Cox, aka “Tsu Surf” | 32 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy, felon in possession of firearms and ammunition |
Amir Edmonds, aka “G Baby” | 21 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime |
Abdul Yarrell, aka “Runit Up,” aka “BB” |
23 | Union County | RICO Conspiracy |
Nygee Johnson, aka “Gito” |
24 | Essex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Bounty Hunter Bloods Criminal Organization
Seven members and associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods street gang were indicted for participating in a racketeering conspiracy that involved the commission of multiple murders, multiple non-fatal shootings, fraud, and narcotics distribution. According to the allegations in the indictment, from in or around 2019 to 2022, the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization operated in Somerset, Middlesex, Passaic, and Mercer Counties, as well as within the New Jersey prison system. During that period, several of the charged defendants are alleged to have committed violent acts, including murder, a mass shooting, and assaults with deadly weapons, all in furtherance of the affairs of Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization. In one instance, members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods are alleged to have shot nine people in New Brunswick, killing two. Over the course of this conspiracy, members and associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization are alleged to have shot 16 people in New Jersey, killing three.
Defendant | Age |
Residence |
Charge |
Walter Boyd, aka “Walt,” aka “Walt Daddy” |
34 | Middlesex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Isiah Daniels, aka “Ice” |
34 | Middlesex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Joel Lyons, aka “Jayski” |
21 | Middlesex County | RICO Conspiracy |
Gede Maccelus, aka “G Baby” |
21 | Mercer County | RICO Conspiracy |
Armando Ortiz, aka “Mando” |
24 | Somerset County | RICO Conspiracy |
Malik Stringer, aka “Rambo” |
24 | Somerset County | RICO Conspiracy |
Kimani Wanyoike, aka “Ki” |
21 | Somerset County | RICO Conspiracy |
Lincoln Park Drug Trafficking Investigation
Six defendants were charged by criminal complaints with conspiring to participate in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and crack-cocaine in and around Lincoln Park in Newark. This investigation also resulted in the seizure of 13 firearms and quantities of cocaine.
Defendant | Age | Residence | Charge |
Ramon Mangan | 39 | Newark | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon |
Jamar Farrell | 44 | Newark | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon |
Khalid Holland | 43 | Newark | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime |
Tyree Norris | 33 | Newark | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon,
Possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime |
Ted Sanon | 22 | Hillside, New Jersey | Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base |
*Dashawn Hines
* not charged in drug trafficking conspiracy |
23 | Newark | Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances |
Trinitarios
Five members and associates of several branches of the Trinitarios street gang were arrested and charged by criminal complaints with conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin, as well as firearms offenses. According to the allegations in the complaints, the defendants conducted their narcotics and firearms activities in and around the Fifth Ward of Paterson.
Defendant | Age | Residence | Charge |
Andy Dilone | 23 | Paterson, New Jersey | Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine |
Malvin Pena, aka “Rabia” |
28 | Paterson | Unlawful possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, distribution of heroin |
Andy Santiago Sanchez-Polanco, aka “Tigre” |
25 | Paterson | Conspiracy to distribute cocaine |
Jefry Tupete, aka “Jeff” |
33 | Paterson | Distribution of heroin |
Cesar Valerio, aka “Chico Trini” |
30 | Paterson | Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine |