Alleged Members and Associates of G-Shine Bloods Gang Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses

NEWARK, NJ—Four members or associates of the G-Shine Bloods criminal street gang operating in Plainfield, N.J., were arrested today by a federal task force for alleged drug and gun offenses, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Andre Kelly, 44, a/k/a “Duke,” was arrested in Edison, N.J.; Haleem Mc Coy, 26, a/k/a “Hollar,” Mustafa Harris, 32, a/k/a “Moose,” and Rajab Gomez, 27, a/k/a “Snow,” were arrested in Plainfield, N.J. All four defendants are charged in individual complaints with distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; McCoy is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Other individuals arrested as part of the alleged ring will be prosecuted by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. Members of the task force recovered seven guns during the course of Kelly’s arrest, and one gun during the course of Gomez’s arrest.

The defendants appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Dickson in Newark and were detained pending a bail hearing on Friday, January 21, 2011.

U.S. Attorney Fishman stated: “New Jersey residents should not have to live in fear of street gangs operating and recruiting in their neighborhoods. Today’s arrests demonstrate our ongoing commitment to work with county prosecutors and other state and local partners to stem the tide of violent crime.”

Michael B. Ward, Special Agent In Charge of the Newark Division of the FBI stated, “Today’s arrests of G-Shine Bloods and their associates in Plainfield, N.J., represent law enforcement’s continued emphasis on addressing violent gang activity. These arrests are also reflective of the fine coordination which exists between law enforcement in New Jersey. Agents assigned to our Safe Streets Task Force coupled with investigators from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, and Plainfield Police Department jointly investigated the case leading to today’s arrests. These arrests should serve as notice to those involved in gang activity that law enforcement resources are focused, fluid, and interchangeable in devoting all necessary means to accomplish the task.”

If convicted, each of the defendants charged with the crack offense faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine. If convicted of the firearms offense, defendant McCoy faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, and the FBI Violent Crimes Criminal Enterprise Task Force assigned to the Safe Streets Task Force; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office; the New Jersey State Police; and the Plainfield Police Department for the investigation leading to today’s charges. The investigation is ongoing.

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

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rodney Villazor of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Narcotics/Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel:
Kelly: John Yauch, Federal Public Defender, Newark (and for all four defendants for the purposes of the initial appearance)