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 […]

U.S. Attorney’s Office, law enforcement partners seize 352 guns in FY18

NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on Nov. 2 that the District of New Jersey seized 352 firearms as part of criminal prosecutions in fiscal year 2018. The District of New Jersey worked jointly with its law enforcement partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; […]

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 […]

Grape Street Crips member indicted for 2010 murder of bystander

NEWARK, NJ — A member of the Grape Street Crips gang was indicted Oct. 16 on additional charges in connection with the murder of a bystander at a summer cookout in 2010, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Khalil Stafford, aka “Stod,” age 34, of Newark, was indicted on additional charges in a seventh superseding indictment, […]

17 defendants charged in takedown of Newark’s ‘Famous Boyz’ street gang

NEWARK, NJ — Criminal charges against 17 members, associates and drug suppliers of a Newark street gang that allegedly distributed heroin and crack cocaine and possessed and used firearms in furtherance of the gang’s drug-trafficking activities were announced Oct. 11 by U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito. The charges are the result of a long-running wiretap investigation […]

District of NJ announces progress with Project Safe Neighborhoods

NEWARK, NJ — One year ago, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions has made the centerpiece of the department’s violent crime reduction strategy, according to an Oct. 1 press release from the U.S Attorney’s District of New Jersey Office. PSN is an […]

District court enters permanent injunction against 2 Tri-State drug companies

TRENTON, NJ — On Aug. 31, a federal court in New Jersey entered an order of permanent injunction prohibiting two companies in the Bronx and Trenton and their executives from distributing unapproved and misbranded drugs, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and acting Assistant Attorney Gen. Chad A. Readler of the Justice Department’s Civil Division announced. The […]

Man pleads guilty for concealing cocaine in neck pillows at Newark Airport

NEWARK, NJ — On Aug. 22, a man from the Dominican Republic admitted his role in a conspiracy to distribute three kilograms of cocaine by bringing the drugs into the United States concealed in airplane neck pillows, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Rafael Francisco Bautista Perdomo, 21, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. […]