27 Arrested in 'War Ready' Gang Bust

A recent rash of gun violence in Trenton, including the mass shooting at the Art all Night Festival, may be linked to a violent drug trafficking ring, federal authorities said on Thursday.

Twenty-seven people have been charged in connection with a drug ring that sold heroin and used guns and violence to maintain their hold on drug activities in the area, according to federal authorities.

One of the 27 people charged sent 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.

The 27 people arrested, all of whom are listed below, are 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 of last year, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

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.

During a press conference announcing the charges on Thursday, Carpenito said the mass shooting at the Art All Night Festival in Trenton that left one dead and 29 injured on Father’s Day may be linked to the ongoing feud, according to nj.com. The gunman who was shot by police in that incident was previously identified as a member of the Bloods, although Carpenito didn’t identify any gangs in his press conference.

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

“Despite progress in reducing gun violence in Trenton, we cannot rest,” Carpenito said in a statement following the press conference. “A recent spate of shootings shows that we must always be vigilant, and ready to respond to gang violence. Our message to the Trenton community should be loud and clear: We are here, we are watching, and we will not stand idly by while illegal drug distribution, firearms possession, and violent crime terrorize this great city.”

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

Other key members of the drug trafficking conspiracy included Omar Council, Gary Ausmore, Brian Phelps, Davias Taylor, and others, according to authorities.

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. Jakir Taylor is the conspirator who allegedly sent the “War Ready” text message.

Led by the FBI, the Task Force is comprised of various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to combine resources and intelligence to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around Trenton.

In this case, they used court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of heroin, confidential sources and other investigative techniques to make the arrests and file the charges.

The complaint unsealed on Thursday charges 26 people with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Six of the defendants – Jakir Taylor, Timothy Wimbush, Taquan Williams, Jubri West, and Dennis Cheston Jr. – also were charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Wimbush, Williams, and Cheston are additionally charged with unlawfully possessing firearms after having been convicted of a felony. In a separate criminal complaint filed today, Keyanda Phelps was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Twelve people were arrested on Thursday, and 10 were already in custody. The list of those who were charged is as follows:

• Jakir Taylor, 28, of Trenton;
• Omar Council, 39, of Lawrence;
• David Antonio, 30, of Trenton;
• Jerome Roberts, of Willingboro;
• 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;
• Donte Ellis, of Trenton;
• 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;
• Wayne K. Bush, 40, currently incarcerated;
• Shaquel Rock, 24, of Trenton; and
• Latrice Wharton, 30, of Trenton.

The drug conspiracy count carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The count charging Taylor, Wimbush, Williams, West, and Cheston with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years, which must run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. The felon-in-possession charges against Wimbush, Williams, Cheston, and Keyanda Phelps carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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