Third Grape Street Crips Gang Associate Sentenced to 104 Months in Prison for Newark Crack Conspiracy

NEWARK, NJ—Marquis Works, one of three Grape Street Crips associates convicted in connection with a Newark crack distribution conspiracy, was sentenced today to 104 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Works, a/k/a “Freak,” 26, of Newark, previously pleaded guilty on Nov. 4, 2010, to one count of distribution of crack cocaine, and on May 31, 2011, to one count each of failure to appear for a bail hearing and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Works entered his guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler, who also imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Works began conspiring with Grape Street Crips, including Rasheed Smith, a/k/a “Weed,” 20, and associate Stevie Buckuse, a/k/a “Black,” 35, both of Newark, to sell crack cocaine in the Hyatt Court housing community in Newark between June and August 2009. In total, Works and his co-conspirators distributed approximately 120 grams of crack cocaine during the course of the conspiracy, investigated through the use of an FBI confidential informant.

On Feb. 4, 2011, Works failed to appear for a scheduled bail hearing in Newark. A warrant was issued for his arrest. On April 1, 2011, officers of the Newark Police Department encountered Works in Newark. Works, armed with a handgun, threatened his own life. Members of the FBI and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene and successfully engaged Works in crisis negotiation, facilitating his arrest.

Judge Chesler sentenced Smith to 60 months in prison on Sept. 15, 2011, after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine. On June 9, 2011, a jury found Buckuse guilty of three crack offenses. Judge Chesler sentenced him to 120 months in prison on Sept. 20, 2011.

In addition to the prison term Judge Chesler sentenced Marquis Works to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent In Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, for the investigation leading to today’s sentence. He also thanked the Essex County Sheriff’s Office and the Newark Police Department for their vital roles.

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: Frank Arleo Esq., West Orange, N.J.