South Jersey Man Admits Role In Large Scale Drug Ring: Authorities

A South Jersey man has admitted to his role in a crack cocaine distribution conspiracy that ran out of Camden, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said on Thursday.

Preston J. Thomas, a/k/a “Boo,” 31, of Camden, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and one count of conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

He is the seventh person to plead guilty in connection with the crack cocaine distribution conspiracy that ran in and around the 1100 block of Lansdowne Avenue in Camden. In all, eight people were originally charged by complaint on Sept. 9, 2016, following a long-term investigation by the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force. Law enforcement officers say they seized drugs and recovered two handguns used by members of the conspiracy as part of the organization’s drug trafficking activities.

Three of the people who admitted their guilt have already been sentenced.

Earlier this month, Joseph Boyd, a/k/a “Breet,” 32, was sentenced to five years, 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.

On June 14, Jason Boyd, a/k/a “Teddy,” a/k/a “Teddy Reek,” and a/k/a “Fatboy,” 37, was sentenced to eight years in prison. Boyd had previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Tony Wilson, a/k/a “Tony Langston,” a/k/a “Tone,” and a/k/a “H,” 25, previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

On June 13, Derek Stallworth, a/k/a “AK” and a/k/a “A,” 21, of Camden, was sentenced to eight years in prison. Stallworth had previously pleaded guilty to the same charges for his role in the conspiracy. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

On June 7, Julian Dickerson, a/k/a “Juelz,” 30, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. Also in June, Nafeez Griffin, a/k/a “Feez,” 31, of Camden, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Dickerson and Griffin both await sentencing.

Only Jeffrey Whitaker, 33, a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Jay Black,” and a/k/a “Black,” of Collingswood, still faces charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. The charges and allegations against him are merely accusations, and they are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Thomas admitted that he sold, and directed others to sell, crack cocaine on and around the 1100 block of Lansdowne Avenue in Camden, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court. He also admitted that he provided crack cocaine to other members of the conspiracy, collected proceeds from the sales, and conspired with members of the conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of its drug trafficking activities.

The investigation began in late 2015, and involved controlled purchases of crack cocaine and heroin, and multiple authorized wiretaps of phones used by members of the conspiracy, authorities said.

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