JERSEY CITY, NJ – Twenty-four individuals linked to the Booker T street gang have been charged with a range of offenses, from drug distribution to armed robbery and bank fraud, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. The suspects were brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court, with four still at large.
The charges highlight a serious criminal enterprise within the Booker T. Washington Housing Complex in Jersey City. Members and associates of the gang are accused of operating a drug trafficking network that distributed significant quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Eleven of the defendants face charges of conspiring to distribute over 100 grams of heroin, over 40 grams of fentanyl, and additional quantities of cocaine.
Beyond drug trafficking, the gang engaged in a sophisticated bank fraud conspiracy from December 2022 to May 2024. This scheme involved the creation, alteration, and deposit of fraudulent checks resulting in losses exceeding $100,000. Fifteen of the arrested individuals are charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Additionally, two gang associates, Juan Hemingway and Stephon Murphy, are specifically charged with Hobbs Act robbery and the unlawful use of a firearm following an armed robbery on May 6, 2024, where they allegedly stole controlled substances from a victim.
The arrests represent a coordinated effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the critical importance of interagency collaboration. Law enforcement officials, including Acting Special Agent Ross A. Marchetti of the ATF and Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, underscored their commitment to disrupting violent and drug-related activities that threaten community safety.
These efforts are supported by numerous agencies, including the IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, demonstrating the extensive network of resources mobilized to combat gang-related criminality in New Jersey.
