Major N.J. Homicide, Drug Bust: 150 Arrested In Statewide Fugitive Sweep

The New Jersey State Police announced a statewide fugitive bust on Wednesday involving the arrest of 150 people on murder, drugs and various violent crime charges.

In the bust conducted over the past month, authorities seized 11 firearms, including two assault rifles; 631 decks of heroin; and 60 vials of crack cocaine, according to the police.

Some of the more serious offenders captured during this initiative are:

• Jeremy Arrington, 27, of Newark: Wanted for a triple homicide in Newark where an 8-year old, an 11-year old and an adult female were murdered. In addition, Arrington was charged with attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, sexual assault and possession of a firearm for unlawful purpose. He was arrested on Nov. 6, 2016, in Newark.
• Juprie Wadley, 19, of Trenton: Wanted on charges of murder and weapons offenses resulting from the shooting death of a 15-year-old in Trenton on June 11, 2016. He was arrested on Dec. 7, 2016, in Trenton.
• Kamal Sears, 36, of Atlantic City: Wanted for escaping from a New Jersey Department of Corrections facility where he was serving a five-year prison sentence for multiple weapons offenses. He was arrested on Dec. 8, 2016.
• Otis Dennis, 21, of Millville: Wanted for unlawful possession of a weapon. At the time of his arrest, it was discovered that Dennis was out on bail from a previous murder charge. He was arrested on Nov. 15, 2016, in Millville.
• Balil Burton, 26, of Atlantic City: Wanted for an armed robbery in Galloway Township and is a member of the “Bloods” street gang. He was arrested on Dec. 14, 2016, in Atlantic City.
• Charles Willis, 24, of Trenton: Wanted for aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose in connection with a shooting in Trenton. He was arrested on Nov. 30, 2016.

The overall list of those charged is here:

Attorney General Chris Porrino said the arrests involved sweeps that not only took dangerous criminals off the street but also developed investigative leads that "can help us dismantle the drug rings that are driving violent crime and fueling the epidemic of opiate addiction in our communities.”

“Narcotics trafficking and violence are inextricably linked, and as addiction has grown, so has the challenge of combating violence in our urban centers," he said. "Our message today is that we will continue to work tirelessly to solve the problem of addiction and stem the tide of violence in New Jersey.”

State police units assisting with the operation include the Crime Suppression Unit, Gangs and Organized Crime Unit, NJ Regional Operations Intelligence Center and the Real Time Crime Center. The United States Marshals Service and the NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force have also assisted with the initiative.

In addition, Porrino announced a new law enforcement directive designed to prevent victim and witness intimidation. The Violent Crime Initiative was coordinated by the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit at the request of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General in an effort to further suppress violent crimes throughout the state.

The operation is intended to target violent fugitives, many of whom are criminal gang members with arrest warrants for crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping and drug trafficking.

“The Violent Crime Initiative has resulted in the apprehension of some of New Jersey’s most dangerous criminals, and the sweep represents a significant step towards disrupting the violence that currently exists in some urban areas,” said Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The operation has not only made the targeted jurisdictions and surrounding areas safer, but valuable information has been gathered that will, in all likelihood, lead to future arrests.”

The problem of witness intimidation and tampering is pervasive, particularly in urban centers where the “snitches-get-stitches” culture is common, Porrino said. The Attorney General’s Office recently held a series of meetings where law enforcement, community leaders and civilians alike spoke out against the deeply destructive practice of witness intimidation.

Such intimidation impedes the ability of law enforcement to prosecute violent crimes, thereby breeding more violence and undermining public trust and confidence in police, he said.

“Our message today to community members is that police will do everything possible to protect them if they do the right thing and cooperate in an investigation,” added Porrino. “With this directive, we are seeking to protect witnesses and ensure that violent criminals face stern prosecution, particularly if they engage in this type of intimidation.”

State Police photo