Feds bust violent Trenton drug-dealing crew
TRENTON >> Federal prosecutors have charged 27 people accused of using violence to distribute heroin and other narcotics in the capital city.
The federal complaint unsealed this week charges most of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin. Six of them were also charged with possessing firearms during a drug trafficking crime.
The charges announced Thursday come on the heels of a recent spate of gun violence in the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Sanford Street and Middle Rose Street, which are primary locations of the conspiracy’s drug trafficking operations, according to federal prosecutors.
The investigation is ongoing, but based on information and evidence obtained to date, law enforcement has reason to believe that a significant amount of recent gun violence resulted from an ongoing dispute between members of the conspiracy and a rival gang.
“Despite progress in reducing gun violence in Trenton, we cannot rest,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said in a written statement. “A recent spate of shootings shows that we must always be vigilant, and ready to respond to gang violence. Our message to the Trenton community should be loud and clear: We are here, we are watching, and we will not stand idly by while illegal drug distribution, firearms possession, and violent crime terrorize this great city.”
According to prosecutors in the case, over the past year, the defendants engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the areas of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; Sanford, Middle Rose, and Southard streets; and Hoffman and Coolidge avenues.
Through confidential sources, controlled purchases of heroin and wiretaps intercepting phone calls and text messages, federal prosecutors allegedly learned that Jakir Taylor and Jerome Roberts regularly obtained hundreds of “bricks” of heroin from David Antonio, whom they referred to as “Papi.” Antonio is not a U.S. citizen and previously had been deported after serving a prison sentence for a prior conviction, but later returned to the U.S. and soon continued trafficking drugs, according to prosecutors.
Other key members of the drug trafficking conspiracy included Omar Council, Gary Ausmore, Brian Phelps, Davias Taylor, and others.
Prosecutors say members of the conspiracy re-distributed the heroin supplied by Papi and other sources, for profit, to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and users in and around the capital city.
Detectives intercepted numerous discussions among the conspirators regarding issues such as heroin quality and availability, pricing, packaging, quantity, and customer satisfaction, according to prosecutors in the case.
To protect their drug-trafficking activities, prosecutors say, multiple conspirators shared, supplied, and actively sought to obtain firearms. Law enforcement seized at least five semiautomatic firearms from members of the conspiracy, including three handguns and an assault rifle located in a vehicle’s secret compartment specially outfitted to hide contraband.
On another occasion, prosecutors say, Jakir Taylor sent a photograph of three handguns to another conspirator. One of the weapons had an extended magazine capable of loading approximately 50 rounds of ammunition. The picture Taylor sent was allegedly accompanied by a message that read, “War ready.”
Prosecutors say 12 defendants were arrested Thursday and 10 others were already in custody. One defendant is serving a sentence in state prison and four defendants remain at-large.
At a press conference Thursday, Carpenito said the barrage of gunfire at the Art All Night festival in June may be linked to a conflict involving members of the conspiracy and a rival gang. But authorities wouldn’t identify the specific gangs with which the alleged drug traffickers were believed to be affiliated.
The charges are the result of a two-year investigation by the Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force. Led by the FBI, the Task Force is comprised of various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to combine resources and intelligence to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around Trenton.
Here is the complete list of defendants:
• Jakir Taylor, 28, from Trenton
• Omar Council, 39, from Lawrence (remains on the run)
• David Antonio, 30, Trenton
• Jerome Roberts, Willingboro
• Gary Ausmore, 28, Ewing
• Brian Phelps, 40, (currently incarcerated)
• Major Anderson, 42, Trenton
• Alonzo Leary, 37, Trenton
• Davias Taylor, (already incarcerated)
• Taques Hall, 26, Trenton
• Kahlil Hampton, from Lumberton
• Donte Ellis, Trenton
• Dennis Cheston Jr, 37, (incarcerated)
• Timothy Wimbush, 28, (incarcerated)
• Taquan Williams, Trenton
• Jubri West, 19, Trenton
• Malik Bingham, 34, Trenton
• Deavon Warner, 27, Trenton
• Jaquan Wade, 28, Trenton
• Quiana Welch, Trenton
• Keyanda Phelps, 33, (incarcerated)
• Kaleib Cox, Trenton, (still on the loose)
• Varlee Koon, 29, Trenton, (on the run)
• Brandon Council, 24, Trenton, (on the run)
• Wayne K. Bush, 40, (incarcerated)
• Shaquel Rock, 24, Trenton
• Latrice Wharton, 30, Trenton
The Associated Press contributed to this report.