Prosecutor: 29 Arrested on Criminal Gang Activity, Racketeering, Drug & Dog-Fighting Charges

An eight-month investigation into ongoing acts of gang criminality and organized street crime has led to racketeering, conspiracy, attempted murder, drug and gun trafficking and dogfighting charges being lodged against 29 people from Monmouth and Ocean counties, Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Friday.

The probe revealed a power grab by a Bloods gang leader to consolidate his command of the gang’s criminal activities through violence, intimidation, illegal drug and gun sales, and the operation of a dogfighting ring.

During the investigation dubbed Operation Golden State, law enforcement officers recovered numerous firearms, a vehicle used in criminal activity, various quantities of cocaine and marijuana, 12 canines used in the dogfighting operation, and other evidence related to the dogfighting operation.

The dogs are safe and currently being sheltered in an Ocean County animal facility. Of the 29 people charged as part of the investigation, nine are facing charges of racketeering, five are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, two are facing charges as a leader of a dogfighting network, and four are facing dogfighting charges.

The joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, in cooperation with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies, concluded that Xavier Reed, 30, of Hyson Road in Jackson Township, controlled a vast criminal enterprise operating in Asbury Park, Neptune Township, Freehold and Lakewood. Reed, a/k/a HS, assembled a gang alliance consisting of G-Shine Bloods, 47 Neighborhood Crips and the Grape Street Crips that worked towards the unitary control of most illegal activity in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Reed is currently incarcerated in the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark on unlawful gun possession charges.

As a G-Shine Bloods leader, Reed was responsible for administering punishment, controlling the channels for generating revenue from various quantities of drug sales (heroin, cocaine, prescription pills and marijuana) and the administration of the dogfighting ring, where thousands of dollars were typically earned during a single dogfight. These activities served as a means of funding the violent crime carried out by the group, and to further advance Reed’s power.

Reed intensified his energies to maintain control over criminal activity in Monmouth County by intimidating individuals who were disloyal to him or the organization, and engaged in efforts to violently retaliate against former members of his organization and rivals. Reed’s intimidation tactics included a conspiracy with others charged to murder a pair of Reed’s rivals and a member of a Lakewood-based G-Shine set, who resisted Reed’s efforts to consolidate that set into his organization.

Reed was cognizant of the ongoing wars between rival criminal street gangs, namely the G-Shine Bloods and Grape Street Crips, and boasted about his assembly of members from different gangs that worked towards a common criminal goal, which he and others referred to the group as Golden State and would retaliate against anyone who disrespected them.

The criminal enterprise also possessed, transferred and sold weapons within their organized crime alliance, and were responsible for more than a dozen shooting incidents that have recently plagued Asbury Park, Long Branch, Tinton Falls, Keansburg and Neptune Township.

The investigation further revealed Reed and his affiliates in other criminal street gangs, including Daishon Smith a/k/a “Beefy,” of Asbury Park, were responsible for violent criminal activity throughout Asbury Park, Freehold Borough, and Neptune Township.

The dogfighting part of the enterprise worked in cooperation with out-of-state breeding facilities that focused on training dogs to kill and engaged in interstate dogfighting events. In one instance, Reed lost $5,000 on one of his own dogs in a dogfight held in Philadelphia. In another instance, Reed bragged about maintaining his fighting dogs by feeding them chickens and rabbits, remarking how much the dogs loved killing the animals.

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA) seized eight pit bull-type dogs in Monmouth and Ocean counties in February of 2020. All the dogs are believed to be owned by Reed. The dogs were left outside in sub-freezing temperatures and all had bite marks on their limbs, necks and ears indicative of dogfighting.

Reed is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, first-degree gang criminality, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree promotion of organized street crime, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree solicitation to join a criminal street gang, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree leader of a dog fighting network, third-degree conspiracy to commit dog fighting, third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering, third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (marijuana), and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

Reed was aided in his efforts by a network of people who are charged with various crimes:

• Rashad Anderson a/k/a “C-Devine”, 39, is charged with second-degree leader of a dog fighting network and third-degree conspiracy to commit dog fighting.

• Kaniesha Bacon, 30, of Hyson Road in Jackson, is charged first-degree racketeering conspiracy, third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering, third-degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substance (CDS) [marijuana].

• Itayasia Berry a/k/a “TayTay”, 21, of Corlies Avenue in Neptune Township, is charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (cocaine), and third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (prescription pills).

• Jawaun Boggs a/k/a “Jig”, 24, of Atlantic Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (unlawful use), second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (prescription pills), third-degree conspiracy to possess CDS (prescription pills), and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

• King Brent a/k/a “Pay”, 25, of Atlantic Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess CDS (prescription pills).

• Alahji Conteh a/k/a “Stash”, 25, of Atlantic Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm).

• Thomas Cutillo, Jr., 25, of Garfield Avenue in Avon-By-the-Sea, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (prescription pills) and third-degree conspiracy to possess CDS (cocaine and/or heroin).

• Sammy Davis, 55, of Monroe Avenue in Neptune Township, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess CDS (cocaine).

• Nakee Davis-Ruffin a/k/a “Squad”, 21, of Third Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

• Jahquan Fenn a/k/a “Capo” and “Trey”, 30, of Center Street in Freehold Boro, is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

• Dale Ghee a/k/a “Budda”, 23, of Sewall Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (marijuana).

• Marciyah Gill, 25, of Bond Street in Freehold Boro, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (cocaine).

• Richard Ivery, 35, of State Route 33 in Wall Township, is charged with third-degree possession of CDS (marijuana) with intent to distribute and fourth-degree possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana.

• Jy’Zaire Jones a/k/a “Ceemo”, 25, of Allen Avenue in Ocean Township, is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (cocaine), and third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering.

• A juvenile male from Asbury Park is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

• Tyree Kirkpatrick a/k/a “Ree”, 32, of Third Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

• Zion Langhorne a/k/a “Too Brazy”, 19, is charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, and second-degree solicitation to join a criminal street gang.

• Marcella Mallory, 57, of East Sunset Avenue in Red Bank, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (cocaine) and third-degree conspiracy to possess CDS (cocaine).

• Mark McMillian a/k/a “Noodle”, 43, of Bangs Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to commit dog fighting.

• Julissa Miles, 32, of Third Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm).

• Jose Mosely a/k/a “Brazy”, 33, of State Route 70 in Manchester Township, is charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), first-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

• Jamar Ousley, 37, of Colts Neck Road in Freehold Township, is charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy and fourth-degree solicitation to join a criminal street gang.

• Daishon Smith a/k/a “Beefy” or “Atkins Ave.”, 29, of Atlantic Avenue in Asbury Park, is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree-possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (cocaine), third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (prescription pills), and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

• Rufus Squarewell a/k/a “Ru”, 38, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to commit dog fighting.

• Jimmy Tran, 29, of Broadway in Freehold Township, is charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (marijuana).

• Melanie Tucker, 36, of Monroe Avenue in Neptune Township, is charged with second-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (cocaine).

• Marcus Washington a/k/a “Mo Shine”, 25, of Brockton Avenue in Neptune Township, is charged with first-degree racketeering conspiracy, third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

• Shakon Winslow a/k/a “Stick-up” or “Wise”, 26, of Bangs Avenue in Neptune Township, is charged with: first-degree racketeering conspiracy, first-degree gang criminality, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (community firearm), second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering, third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS (cocaine), third-degree conspiracy to distribute CDS, fourth-degree solicitation to join a criminal street gang, and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons.

Sentencing, if convicted

If convicted of attempted murder, each defendant faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA) requiring them to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. Each defendant would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison.

If convicted of promoting organized street crime, each defendant faces 15 to 30 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $200,000.

If convicted of any other first-degree crime, each defendant faces a sentence of up to 20 years in state prison.

If convicted of any of the second-degree crimes, each defendant faces a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison.

If convicted of any third-degree crime, defendants face three to five years in state prison.

What the charges mean

The racketeering charges allege that the defendants engaged in a continuous pattern of interrelated criminal conduct, namely drug trafficking, gun trafficking and dogfighting, among other crimes.

If convicted of first-degree racketeering, each defendant faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, and a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed. Additionally, the racketeering counts will not merge with other charged counts.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office