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.”

“Today’s arrests are a testament to the collaborative work of law enforcement. Every illegal drug removed from the streets helps ensure the safety of our community,” stated Acting Prosecutor Wayne Mello. “The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to continuing this joint effort to rid our community of dangerous drugs.”

“Today, as part of our Violent Crime Initiative with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a coordinated operation with the Jersey City Police Department, ATF, and federal partners resulted in multiple arrests along with the recovery of suspected CDS and illegal guns.  Over the past 12 years, we have driven down violent crime across Jersey City to historic lows by investing in smart policing strategies, stronger community partnerships, and unprecedented public safety resources, and today’s arrests are yet another example of our dedication to keeping residents safe,” Mayor Steven M. Fulop, City of Jersey City said.

“Our priority has always been to protect the people of Jersey City, and today’s operation shows that commitment in action.  By arresting these violent offenders and removing illegal guns and drugs from our streets, we are protecting residents today and reinforcing the long-term safety gains we’ve made under this administration’s leadership,” stated Public Safety Director James Shea.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

West, Gaines, Felder, Garrett, Washington, Thomas, Frimpong, Harvey, Torres, Pettiford, Rivers, Turner, Thorton, and Maldonado are all members and associates of the neighborhood street gang associated with the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex, which is known as “SaLaf.”

The gang’s drug trafficking activities were extensive, with federal, state, and local investigators observing and documenting hundreds of narcotics transactions that occurred within and around the Salem Lafayette Housing Complex during the months-long investigation.   

The investigation likewise revealed that Bell, Rodriguez, Crawford, and Reaves were suppliers of narcotics to the SaLaf drug trafficking organization.

Law enforcement used investigative techniques including, but not limited to, wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics by confidential informants, telephone record analysis, and physical and fixed surveillance, among other lawful means of investigation.  The investigation revealed that the SaLaf DTO distributes large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, PCP, various prescription pills, and other narcotics in this public housing community as well as the surrounding area.

The charged offense carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum potential prison sentence of 40 years, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., Newark Field Division; special agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; investigators of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Wayne Mello; and investigators of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, for the investigation leading to the charges.

This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of 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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, the Hudson County Jail, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.

This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Kober of the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and Trial Attorney Justin Bish of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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