Feds Shut Down Gang-Run 'Drug Marketplace' In Newark: Prosecutors

NEWARK, NJ — Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against 17 reputed members, associates and drug suppliers of a street gang who allegedly ran a heroin and crack-cocaine "marketplace" in Newark.

Authorities said that 14 people are scheduled to appear in a Newark federal court on Thursday. Three of the defendants are already in custody on state charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of New Jersey stated.

Prosecutors said the charges are the result of a long-running wiretap investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Newark Police Department and several state and local partners.

The charges include conspiracies to distribute one kilogram of heroin and/or 280 grams of crack cocaine, possession of multiple firearms in connection with drug trafficking crimes, and unlawful possession of firearms by convicted felons (see below chart).

“The criminal complaint unsealed today describes an active marketplace where heroin and crack cocaine are sold openly on the streets of Newark and surrounding areas and illegal firearms and threats of violence are used to protect that trade,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. “The wiretaps and surveillance provide a glimpse into the dangerous world these defendants have created in one neighborhood.”

According to prosecutors:

“The defendants are [allegedly] members and associates of the Famous Boyz – a subset of the Brick City Brims set of the Bloods street gang – which dealt significant quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, primarily in and around the area of South 18th Street and 15th Avenue in Newark, which often was referred to by the gang as the ‘8 Block,’ ‘18th’ or simply by reference to the number ‘8.’”

Prosecutors alleged:

“John Mosley was a primary source of narcotics for the Famous Boyz and often directed the gang’s drug operations. Mosley and others shared narcotics, customers, and firearms with one another in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking activities, and used juveniles to distribute narcotics and stash firearms. Patricio Hernandez and Jonathan Hernandez were among the main suppliers of crack cocaine to Mosley. Jahid Vauters supplied Mosley with heroin. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered a Smith & Wesson 9mm and a Ruger .357 firearm from Vauters’ residence, along with bricks of heroin and more than 100 grams of crack cocaine. Law enforcement continues to investigate more than a dozen shootings that are linked to a rivalry between the Famous Boyz and another Newark gang.”

According to prosecutors, heroin allegedly sold by Famous Boyz members contained a fentanyl analogue, an "extremely dangerous and highly addictive substance."

Prosecutors alleged that one of Mosley’s heroin customers complained about the fentanyl, telling him: “I’ll be honest – cause it’s fentanyl bro, I don’t want to kill myself, you know what I’m trying to say like ….”

The customer then added, “I’m just trying to f****** like have a good time not kill myself,” prosecutors stated.

Prosecutors allege that members of the Famous Boyz used social media to “promote the gang’s criminal activities,” advertising their narcotics trafficking activities and proceeds and threatening both rival gang members and any individuals who consider cooperating with law enforcement.

Prosecutors alleged that members of the Famous Boyz who sold narcotics also enriched themselves by committing other crimes, including robberies.

According to prosecutors:

“Law enforcement officers, acting on information obtained from a wiretap, arrested Angelo West while he was attempting to commit a robbery. After they seized a .40 caliber firearm from the scene, Mosley was overheard complaining to Javon Holmes ‘so all the rachets gone’ and ‘damn we just lost all the straps,’ referring to the Famous Boyz losing their firearms.”

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of ATF and members of the Newark Department of Public Safety with the investigation leading to the charges. He also credited the DEA, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, the N.J. State Police, the Belleville Police Department, and the Livingston Police Department.

Prosecutors stated:

“This investigation is part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Newark. The VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety to combat violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community.”

The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Board of Parole, Union County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, N.J. Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department and the Irvington Police Department.

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