First Guilty Plea In Violent 'War Ready' Drug Ring: Feds

A 41-year-old Trenton man has admitted to his role in a violent drug trafficking conspiracy in which more than one kilogram of heroin was sold in Trenton and the surrounding area, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced

Donte Ellis, a/k/a “Shalant,” pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Ellis also admitted to possessing a firearm during the offense, authorities said.

Ellis was among 27 people who were arrested as part of the drug ring that was linked to a mass shooting at the Art All Night Festival last year. In October, they were charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin. Ellis is the first of the defendants to plead guilty.

On Feb. 21, four of the accused were indicted with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. They were Jakir Taylor, a/k/a “Jak”; Jerome Roberts, a/k/a “Righteous”; David Antonio, a/k/a “Papi,” a/k/a “Victor Arias”; and Wayne K. Bush.

Taylor also was charged in the indictment with possessing of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He has been accused of sending a text message containing a picture of three guns to another conspirator with an accompanying message that read, "War ready," authorities said. One of the guns was outfitted with an extended magazine capable of loading approximately 50 rounds of ammunition.

Charges remain pending against the rest of the suspects. They are all accused of running the violent narcotics ring in the areas of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Sanford, Middle Rose, and Southard streets; and Hoffman and Coolidge avenues since October 2017, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.

Conspirators are also accused of possessing, sharing, supplying, and actively seeking to obtain weapons to protect their territory, according to authorities. Investigators said they seized possessed, shared, supplied, and actively sought to obtain firearms.

The charges follow a rash of gun violence in the area in which the drug ring was concentrated, according to authorities. Authorities believe most of that violence is the result of the rivalry between this group and a rival gang.

See also: Alleged Gunman Indicted In Art All Night Festival Mass Shooting

A two-year investigation by the Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force discovered that Antonio supplied hundreds of "bricks" of heroin to Taylor and Roberts on a regular basis. A brick is approximately 50 smaller, individually packaged glassine envelopes or baggies containing heroin.

Members of the conspiracy re-distributed the heroin supplied by Papi and other sources, for profit, to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end users in and around Trenton. Law enforcement officers intercepted numerous discussions among the conspirators regarding issues such as heroin quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity, and customer satisfaction.

Ellis faces between 5 and 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13. The other people who have been charged in the case are:

• Omar Council, 39, of Lawrence;
• Gary Ausmore, 28, of Ewing;
• Brian Phelps, 40, currently incarcerated;
• Major Anderson, 42, of Trenton;
• Alonzo Leary, 37, of Trenton;
• Davias Taylor, currently incarcerated;
• Taques Hall, 26, of Trenton;
• Kahlil Hampton, of Lumberton;
• Dennis Cheston Jr., 37, currently incarcerated;
• Timothy Wimbush, 28, currently incarcerated;
• Taquan Williams, of Trenton;

• Jubri West, 19, of Trenton;
• Malik Bingham, 34, of Trenton;
• Deavon Warner, 27, of Trenton;
• Jaquan Wade, 28, of Trenton;
• Quiana Welch, of Trenton;
• Keyanda Phelps, 33, currently incarcerated;
• Kaleib Cox, currently incarcerated;
• Varlee Koon, 29, currently incarcerated;
• Brandon Council, 24, of Trenton;

• Shaquel Rock, 24, of Trenton; and
• Latrice Wharton, 30, of Trenton.