Spent shell casing - file photo — Spent shell casing - File Photo

NEWARK, N.J. — Four alleged members of the violent Paterson street gang “4K” have been indicted in connection with a 2022 shooting targeting rival gang members, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced Thursday.

Jatrail Avent, aka “Curry,” Shequan Roberts, aka “Shingy,” Jahmir Moody, aka “Jahdi,” and Wizair Johnson, aka “Wababy,” were charged in a superseding indictment with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Each faces up to 20 years for the racketeering charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years — and up to life — for the firearm offense.

Prosecutors say the four defendants are part of the “4K Enterprise,” a neighborhood-based gang operating around Rosa Parks Boulevard and several nearby streets in Paterson. According to court documents, members of the gang have been involved in shootings, robberies, homicides, and narcotics trafficking in a violent feud with rival crews, including the “230 Boyz.”

On November 6, 2022, Avent, Roberts, Moody, and Johnson allegedly ambushed members of the 230 Boyz who were sitting inside a van, opening fire as part of an ongoing gang dispute.

The charges follow a long-running federal investigation involving the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Jersey State Police, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and the Paterson Police Department.

If convicted, the four defendants could face decades in prison and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.