Safe Streets Task Force Initiative Gains Momentum: Twelve Gang Members and Associates Arrested

Newark, NJ—The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF), in conjunction with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, has arrested six members of the infamous Bloods Street Gang, along with nine of their criminal associates. This wave of arrests began Monday evening, announced Weysan Dun, Special Agent In Charge of the FBI’s Newark Field Office.

During mid-2008 through mid-2009, the SSTF, in conjunction with the Union County Prosecutor's Office began to target the activities of the Bloods Street Gang operation in Union County, New Jersey. Through the use of various sensitive law enforcement techniques, the SSTF identified the subjects listed below as major figures in the Bloods criminal operation. As a result of the investigation, the SSTF seized approximately 1/2 kilograms of cocaine and 1/4 kilograms of heroin, four firearms, and one vehicle. State arrest warrants were issued for the below individuals for various drug and weapons violations, all based on allegations made in criminal complaints:

1. Jimmy L. McLaurin, age 34, of 243 South 11th Street, Newark, New Jersey. During mid-2008, McLaurin allegedly conspired to manufacture and distribute and allegedly manufactured and distributed quantities of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, specifically Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School. The SSTF has identified McLaurin as an alleged Bloods associate.

2. Karim C. Stewart, age 30, of 469 Irvine Turner Boulevard, Newark, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Stewart allegedly distributed quantities of heroin within 1000 feet of school property, specifically St. Patrick’s Elementary School, and within 500 feet of Jackson Public Park. The SSTF has identified Stewart as an alleged Bloods associate.

3. Alonzo Yarbrough, age 37, of 78 Williamson Street, Hillside, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Yarbrough allegedly sold quantities of heroin. The SSTF has identified Yarbrough as an alleged Bloods  associate.

4. Sheneka V. Pierce, age 33, of 509 South 10th Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Pierce allegedly distributed quantities of heroin. The SSTF has identified Pierce as an alleged Bloods Associate.

5. Rashan Jackson, age 34, of 17 Unity Place, Newark, New Jersey. During late 2008 through 2009, Jackson allegedly possessed and trafficked firearms, specifically an SKS assault rifle, a TEC-9 machine pistol (machine gun) with a high capacity magazine, and an illegal loaded 12 gauge shotgun to Elizabeth, New Jersey and Newark, New Jersey. The SSTF has identified Jackson as an alleged Bloods associate.

6. Derric R. Boyce, age 29, of 224 West 1st Avenue, Roselle, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Boyce allegedly distributed heroin on two separate occasions. The SSTF has identified Boyce as an alleged Bloods member.

7. Tylah Boyce, age 28, of Elizabeth, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Tylah Boyce allegedly distributed quantities of heroin. The SSTF has identified Boyce as an alleged Bloods member.

8.  Joseph Hernandez, age 25, of 50 Lake Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Hernandez allegedly sold/illegally transferred a firearm, specifically a handgun, to another individual. The SSTF has identified Hernandez as an alleged Bloods associate.

9.  Donell Allen, age 44, of 560 Main Street, East Orange, New Jersey. During mid-2009, Allen allegedly possessed and transported a firearm, specifically an assault rifle with a high-capacity magazine and a machine gun, to another individual. The SSTF has identified Allen as an alleged Bloods associate.

10. Todd Scott, age 25, of 131 Main Street, Rahway, New Jersey. During mid-2008 through mid-2009, Scott allegedly conspired with McLeroy (two counts) to distribute and allegedly distributed multiple grams of crack cocaine and powder cocaine within 500 feet of Lawrence Street and Fairmount Avenue Parks, and within 1,000 feet of school property, specifically Dayton School. On May 11, 2009, Scott was arrested for distribution of cocaine with McLeroy. Scott was allegedly accepting delivery of multiple grams of cocaine from McLeroy at the time of their arrest. The SSTF has identified Scott as an alleged Bloods associate.

11. Kamal McLeroy, age 34, of 314 Magnolia Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey. During mid-2008, McElroy allegedly conspired with Scott and allegedly distributed multiple grams of crack cocaine within 500 feet of Fairmount Avenue Park. McLeroy also allegedly distributed powder cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property, specifically Jefferson House School. McLeroy was also charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine with Scott. McLeroy was allegedly dropping off multiple grams of powder cocaine to Scott. Law enforcement allegedly found multiple grams of crack cocaine in McLeroy’s  vehicle at the time of his arrest. The SSTF has identified McLeroy as an alleged Bloods associate.

12. Brandon Banks, age 25, of 1518 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey. During mid-2008 through mid-2009, Banks allegedly conspired to distribute and allegedly distributed quantities of cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property, specifically Avon Avenue Elementary School. Banks was arrested on May 12, 2009 at a stash house on South 11th Street, Newark for drug distribution. He allegedly had multiple grams of crack on his person at the time. The SSTF has identified McLeroy as an alleged Bloods member.

Currently Fugitives:

1. Terrance M. McDougald, age 29, of 28 Oakwood Place, Elizabeth, New Jersey. At least as far back as early 2008, McDougald allegedly distributed heroin and cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property, specifically Jewish Educational Center, Battin Middle School, and within 500 feet of McPherson Park and Sheridan Park Playground. The SSTF has identified McDougald as an alleged Bloods member.

2. Wadner Phillippe, age 25, of 1171 Chestnut Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Philippe allegedly distributed cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property, specifically Winfield Scott Elementary School. The SSTF has identified Boyce as an alleged Bloods member.

3. Tyrese Wallace, age 30, of 131 Magnolia Avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey. During mid-2008, Wallace allegedly distributed quantities of heroin. The SSTF has identified Wallace as an alleged Bloods member.

Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun remarked, “Based on these and other recent gang-related arrests, our message to gang members far and wide is clear. Around every corner, behind every tree or bush, from every rooftop, and even within your own group, law enforcement is watching and waiting. We are waiting for the right moment, such as today, when you least expect it to end your criminal activities.” Dun added, “Always remember: our gang is and will always be bigger and more powerful than your gang. My thanks for the cooperation between the Safe Streets Task Force and the different units within the Union County Prosecutors Office under the leadership of Mr. Romankow. ”

“The streets are safer following these arrests,” said Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow, “but there is still much work to be done. We, as law enforcement can only do so much. We continue to need the public’s assistance in getting these gang members off the streets. I urge people to contact their local authorities whenever they see suspicious activity or feel their neighborhood is in danger.”

Romankow added that his office has been working on the Governor’s Crime Plan in addressing gang violence on the streets and thanked the FBI for their continuing guidance and support in rounding up violent criminals. “Having a partner like the FBI is critically important to keeping citizens safe and making sure these gang members, those who seek to disrupt society, spend the maximum amount of time behind bars.”

The penalties these defendants face on these state charges range from five to 30 years. No federal charges are expected to be filed against them. However, other defendants already in custody are facing federal charges in this matter.  A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of members of: the FBI, the Union County Prosecutor's Office, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, the Essex County and Hudson County Sheriff's Departments, and the Elizabeth, Linden, Cranford, East Orange, and Newark Police Departments.

The defendants listed in this release are all being prosecuted at the state level in Union County by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
                                                                                                                                                

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