Gang member charged in connection with 2 attempted murders

NEWARK, NJ — A member of the New Jersey Grape Street Crips appeared in court Aug. 12 on charges that include two attempted murders charged as part of a RICO conspiracy, as well as narcotics trafficking, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Sean Hills, aka “Half A Brain,” “Half” and “Rydaman,” 28, of Newark, was charged […]

Orange public unable to get copy of latest FBI subpoena through OPRA

Orange public unable to get copy of latest FBI subpoena through OPRA

ORANGE, NJ — The legal policy set by former Orange City attorney Eric Pennington that prohibits all correspondence and public inquiries about the ongoing Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into allegations of wire fraud, misuse of federal funds and other alleged crimes by members of Mayor Dwayne Warren’s administration appears to still be in effect. […]

Three men charged with armed robbery spree

NEWARK, NJ — Three Union County men have been charged with robbing liquor stores in Middlesex, Union and Essex counties at gunpoint in November 2018, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced in a Feb. 21 press release. Paul Jimenez, 29; Jaime Fontanez, 41; and Vincent Chan-Guillen, 28, all of Elizabeth, are charged by complaint with one […]

Ohio man admits to armed robbery of Orange store

ORANGE, NJ — An Ohio man admitted on Feb. 7 that he robbed a mobile communications company retail store in Orange at gunpoint in June 2016, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Frederick A. White, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of […]

Crips member sentenced to 35 years for murder, attempted murder

NEWARK, NJ — A member of the New Jersey Grape Street Crips was sentenced Dec. 7 to 35 years in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy that included a double murder, a separate attempted murder and conspiring to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Ahmad Manley, aka “Fresh” and “Moddy G,” 32, […]

2 Iranian men indicted for deploying ransomware to extort hospitals and municipalities

NEWARK, NJ — An indictment returned by a federal grand jury was unsealed Nov. 28 in Newark, charging Faramarz Shahi Savandi, 34, and Mohammad Mehdi Shah Mansouri, 27, both of Iran, in a 34-month-long international computer hacking and extortion scheme involving the deployment of sophisticated ransomware, announced U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito for the district of […]

Drug supplier to violent street gang admits drug trafficking

NEWARK, NJ — On Nov. 14, a long-time drug supplier to members and associates of the New Jersey Grape Street Crips admitted his role in a conspiracy to distribute kilograms of heroin, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Hanee Cureton, aka “City” and “Fat Boy,” 34, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox […]

Montclair man charged with murder captured in Cuba

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Montclair Police Chief Todd Conforti announced Nov. 7 that James R. Ray III, 55, of Montclair, has been captured in Cuba and returned to New Jersey to face murder charges for fatally shooting Angela M. Bledsoe, 44, also of Montclair. “Today we have […]

Know how to report voting irregularities, abuses or frauds

NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced Oct. 31 that senior trial counsel Allen B.K. Urgent will lead the office’s efforts in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the Nov. 6 general election. Urgent, senior trial counsel Mark McCarren and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Vidoni have been appointed to serve […]