NJ Gang’s Rap Videos About Murder Lead To Indictments, Prosecutor Says

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — State authorities have indicted 15 members of a violent Trenton street gang on charges including murder, attempted murder, racketeering, robbery and carjacking, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said.

The 50-count indictment targets members of the "OutSouf" gang, which prosecutors say operated out of South Trenton from February 2023 through June 2025. Justice Chambers, 25, of Trenton, is named as the leader and faces charges of murder, four counts of attempted murder, weapons offenses and leading a criminal organization, Davenport said.

All 15 defendants have been arrested. Thirteen remain detained pending trial.

Prosecutors said the gang carried out coordinated violent attacks — referred to internally as "drills" — to avenge the April 2023 death of a high-ranking member, Jhosse Tolentino. The alleged drills included the Aug. 19, 2023, killing of a man identified as T.F. and the Sept. 16, 2023, killing of a man identified as B.L. Prosecutors say lower-level members carried out the killings to gain rank within the gang.

Chambers and Tolentino served as its top leaders before Tolentino's death. Below them, prosecutors say, the gang was organized in distinct tiers: Semaj Parker allegedly served as a mid-level member, while Jihad Jackson allegedly maintained and distributed the gang's firearms. A group of lower-level members — Zai'yae Rowell, Nychee Carmona, Deon Folkes Lawson, Elijahwon Jackson and three juveniles identified only by initials — carried out shootings on the gang's behalf, according to court documents.

Five others, including Kymir Lewis-West, Yasin Brantley, Kaheem Godbolt, Stanley Davis and Neylis Vargas, are named as associates.

According to investigators, OutSouf members followed a distinct pattern: acquiring firearms, using stolen vehicles or cars with swapped license plates, shooting at rivals and then publicizing the violence through social media posts and rap videos. Gang members took credit for two homicides and multiple shootings in recorded videos, Davenport said.

OutSouf rappers allegedly took credit for shooting of members of rival gang “H-Block” on April 9, 2024, the T.F. and B.L. homicides, and two additional aggravated assaults in publicized rap videos, authorities said.

Authorities also said members shared a pool of firearms used across multiple attacks. Two weapons were seized from Jihad Jackson in October 2023 and January 2024. The gang extended its criminal activity into Hamilton and Ewing townships, in addition to Trenton, Davenport said.

“The violence allegedly carried out by this gang strikes at the heart of our communities,” Davenport said. “Every family deserves to feel safe on their block and in their home. We will continue working with our law enforcement and community partners to dismantle organizations that threaten that sense of security.”

The case was investigated by the Division of Criminal Justice, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and the Trenton Police Department.

“This investigation was significant in that this gang and its leaders were allegedly involved in numerous acts of violence including murders and attempted murders in Trenton and surrounding municipalities,” Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson said. “I commend all personnel involved for a job well done. I am thankful that we all are dedicated to making the communities safer. Our commitment to public safety will never end.”

A conviction on first-degree murder carries a sentence of 30 years to life, with a mandatory 30-year minimum before parole eligibility. First-degree racketeering carries 10 to 20 years under the No Early Release Act.

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