Two dozen New Jersey street gang members arrested on drug charges

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey – Twenty-four individuals linked to the Booker T street gang have been charged with a variety of offenses, ranging from drug distribution to armed robbery and bank fraud, as announced by United States Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. The suspects were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court, and four of them remain at large.

The charges highlight a serious criminal enterprise at the Booker T. Washington residential complex in Jersey City. Members and associates of the gang are accused of operating a drug trafficking ring that distributed large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. Eleven of the defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, more than 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 in excess of $100,000 . Fifteen of those arrested 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 unlawful use of a firearm following a May 6 armed robbery 2024, during which they allegedly stole controlled substances from a victim.

The arrests represent a coordinated effort by federal, state and local law enforcement, highlighting 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, emphasized their commitment to disrupting violent and drug activity that threaten community safety.

These efforts are supported by numerous agencies, including the IRS Criminal Investigation and the US Postal Inspection Service, demonstrating the vast network of resources mobilized to combat gang-related crime in New Jersey.