Newark gang members sentenced to prison for drug trafficking

NEWARK, NJ — Two members of the Newark street gang known as the “Famous Boyz” were sentenced to prison for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced March 23.

Malik Minor, aka “YK,” 23, of Newark, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, and five years of supervised release; Javon Holmes, aka “J-Dot,” 21, of Newark, was sentenced to nine years in prison and four years of supervised release. Minor previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, and 100 grams or more of heroin. Holmes previously pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiring to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, and 100 grams or more of heroin, and possessing with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. Arleo imposed both sentences by videoconference.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court, the Famous Boyz are a subset of the Brick City Brim set of the Bloods street gang, which dealt significant quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, primarily in and around the area of South 18th Street and 15th Avenue in Newark. The gang often referred to this area as the “8 Block,” “18th” or simply by reference to the number “8.”

In October 2018, Minor, Holmes and 15 other members of a violent drug-trafficking conspiracy operating in Newark were charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and/or heroin following a lengthy wiretap investigation. Shaka McKinney and Jahid Vauters, aka “K” and “KO,” were also charged with firearms possession offenses. To date, 15 of the defendants have pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges and three await sentencing; the charges and allegations against the remaining defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proved guilty.

  Drugs, Sentencing, U.S. Attorney’s Office