Wednesday, April 7, 2010

NJ Authorities Bust up Gang Operation Ran From NJ State Prison


By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times


Investigators have identified an operation ran by a gang directly from behind the walls of the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, where the gang's leader, 35-year-old Clarence Scott, was serving a life sentence for murder.

The operation, ran by Nine Trey Hillside Beehive, an offset to the Bloods street gang, smuggled everything from cell phones to cocaine, heroin and marijuana into the prison allegedly with the help of former corrections officer Brian Teel, girlfriends of inmates and street level dealers.

Based out of Patterson, the gang also had networks in Newark, Trenton, Vineland, Keansburg and Maurice River. In addition to the drugs, the gang members conspired to commit murder. Police say the recent arrests interrupted two murder plots and led to the arrest of 27-year-old Corey Cauthen of Paterson, also a member of the gang, who was charged with killing Daniel Ragonesi in 2008 in Paterson.

Investigators say Teel was paid $500 to smuggle a cell phone to Scott that was used to conduct three-way calls between Aimee Harker, 34, of Vineland and gang members in prison or on the streets in order to conduct gang business.

Asmar Bease, 29, of Paterson, and Scott used other female accomplices to set up visits with inmates at Northern State Prison in order to smuggle in drugs and cell phones.

The investigation, which began in 2007, netted police several arrests and led to the seizure of $48,000 of heroin, $500 in crack cocaine and six small bags of marijuana.

In a 36-count indictment, 22 defendants have been charged with gang criminality, a new category of crime created with a January 2008 law. They have been charged with murder, weapons possession, drug distribution, witness tampering and bribery.

"The charges of gang criminality and promoting organized street crime are specifically geared to prosecuting the criminal activities of gangs and their leaders," Attorney General Paula Dow said. "We have taken down the leadership of this violent set of the Bloods street gang."


Media Outlets must credit The Black Urban Times
www.theblackurbantimes.com
twitter.com/alicia_c_

facebook.com/theblackurbantimes

No comments:

Post a Comment

We appreciates all comments and fosters free speech, however, keep in mind that we have young readers who peruse our site. Having said that, please refrain from using profane language, and know that flaming will not be tolerated. Spam will not be tolerated.

BLKUTIMES ARCHIVES