Five EC men charged with drug distribution

NEWARK, NJ — Five Essex County men were arrested Sept. 17 and charged with distribution of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in and around the Reservoir Site Townhouses in Newark, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Arrested and charged by complaint are:

Dayvon Rogers, 29, of Newark, with two counts of distribution of cocaine in August and September 2020.
Rasheed Gilbert, 27, of East Orange, with one count of distribution of cocaine in January 2020, and one count of distribution of heroin and cocaine in January 2020.
Naim Frazier, 32, of Newark, with one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl in January 2020.
Rahjohn Montgomery, 27, of East Orange, with one count of distribution of heroin in January 2020, and one count of distribution of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in June 2020.
Rasheen Thomas, 25, of Newark, with one count of distribution of heroin and cocaine in June 2020, three counts of distribution of heroin and cocaine in July 2020, and two counts of distribution of heroin and cocaine in August 2020.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court, the defendants sold narcotics in and around the Reservoir Site Townhouses in Newark, selling to individuals who were confidential informants working with law enforcement. The narcotics sales were documented through audio and video recordings, text messages, and physical surveillance.

Each count in the complaints carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.

This investigation is part of the Violent Crime Initiative in Newark. The Newark VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the city of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the sole purpose of combating violent crime in and around Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty.

Arrests, Drugs, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Newark Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office