Nineteen Members and Associates of Jersey City Gang Charged for Drug Trafficking Activities

Newark, N.J. – Nineteen members and associates of the Jersey City gang associated with the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex were charged by Complaint for their roles in an expansive drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

The Complaint charges Isaiah West, a/k/a “Snoop,” a/k/a “Bandz,” 22, of Jersey City, Jamantay Gaines, a/k/a “D-Rose,” 28, of Jersey City, Curtis Felder, a/k/a “Cee Grizzley,” 26, of Jersey City, Dorian Garrett, a/k/a “Nero,” 21, of New York City, William Washington, a/k/a “OnSight,” 23, of Jersey City, Aamir Thomas, a/k/a “Mir,” 23, of Jersey City, Nareef Frimpong, a/k/a “Huncho,” 24, of Jersey City, Reakwon Harvey, 28, of Jersey City, Pedro Torres, 21, of Jersey City, Najon Pettiford, a/k/a “Na,” 23, of Jersey City, Desmar Rivers, a/k/a “Pacman,” 26 of Jersey City, Stephon Turner, 26, of Jersey City, Tyler Thornton, 30, of Jersey City, Christopher Maldonado, a/k/a “G Chris,” 18, of Jersey City, Keiyan Golden, a/k/a “Kevin Council,” 48, of Jersey City, Cornell Bell, 49 of Jersey City, Serge Rodriguez, 29, of Jersey City, Gerard Crawford, a/k/a “Jason Reed,” 51, of Jersey City, and Alfred Reaves, 56, of Jersey City.

Today’s charges and arrests are the result of a long-running wiretap investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jersey City Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The charges include conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and quantities of heroin, cocaine, PCP, and other narcotics including various prescription pills.

The 16 defendants arrested today are scheduled to have their initial court appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court. One defendant was already in custody on state charges, and 2 defendants remain at large.

These defendants are charged with operating a drug trafficking organization that poisoned the community of Jersey City with their distribution of fentanyl, crack cocaine, PCP, and several other narcotics. Today’s arrests and charges mark another strike in our relentless war against the deadly narcotics and ruthless street gangs that infest and terrorize our communities. We will not rest until every drug trafficker and violent offender is held accountable and removed from our streets. – Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba

This investigation and charges are a testament to the combined efforts of law enforcement and underscores the resolve of ATF and our federal, state, and local partners. Drug trafficking and the heinous criminal acts associated with violent criminal organizations have an insidious impact on the public and tear apart the fabric of our communities. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal, throughout the state of New Jersey and across the U.S., to combat violence, drug distribution, and the illegal possession of firearms to safeguard the safety and well-being of all, stated ATF Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks.

DEA New Jersey continues to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in targeting those drug trafficking organizations and their members who are responsible for the trafficking of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and firearms in our communities” stated DEA New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz. “As we have seen, many of these individuals use violence to conduct their illicit drug and gun trafficking business which often has senseless and deadly consequences. The DEA remains committed to protecting our communities and saving lives.

Every criminal must be punished and every innocent must get justice.

Contact New Jersey criminal defence lawyer Joel Silberman to schedule a free legal consultation to fight for your right to justice. Call 201-420-1913 today.