Alleged leader of violent EO street gang charged with drug and gun offenses

EAST ORANGE, NJ — An East Orange man appeared in court Aug. 22 on charges of distribution of phencyclidine and marijuana, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug distribution crime, and the use of a minor to distribute drugs, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Tyree Thomas, aka “Hellboy,” 26, is charged by complaint with seven counts of distribution of phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP; one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and PCP; one count of possession with intent to distribute PCP; one count of using a minor to distribute drugs; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. In Newark federal court on Aug. 22, U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III ruled to detain him without bail.

According to documents filed in this case, Thomas is allegedly the leader of the East Orange set of the Bloods street gang known as the “Sheedside Pirus,” and a high-ranking member of a separate East Orange Bloods set known as the MOB Pirus, both of which primarily operate out of East Orange, Orange and Newark.

An investigation conducted over the course of several months by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives included multiple purchases of PCP and marijuana from Thomas by an undercover ATF agent between April and July of 2019.

The counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and PCP are punishable by a maximum of 40 years in prison. The count of employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme is punishable by a maximum of 80 years in prison. The count of distribution of PCP is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime is punishable by five years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence.

For the investigation, Carpenito credited members of the ATF, U.S. Secret Service, Newark Police Department, East Orange Police Department, N.J. State Police, N.J. Department of Corrections, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Orange Police Department.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

  Craig Carpenito