July 17, 2014

Members of Violent Bloods Street Gang Charged with Murder and Other Racketeering Offenses

NEWARK, NJ—Four alleged members of Sex Money Murder, a subset of the Bloods street gang, were indicated by a federal grand jury today on charges of murder, attempted murder, racketeering, robbery, weapons offenses and drug distribution, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Narik Wilson, a/k/a “Spaz,” 29, Emil Rutledge, a/k/a “Diddy,” 26, Laquan Reed, a/k/a “Drama,” 25, and Rajohn Wilson, a/k/a “1090,” 23, all of Newark, were charged in a 14-count superseding indictment in connection with their alleged membership in Sex Money Murder. Narik Wilson, the leader of the gang, is charged in all 14 counts, which include charges related to murder in aid of racketeering. Narik Wilson was previously charged with drug distribution and firearm possession on Oct. 7, 2011.

Rutledge is charged with 11 counts, including murder in aid of racketeering. Reed is charged with six counts, including felony murder. Rajohn Wilson is charged with three counts, which include charges related to attempted murder.

All four men are already in custody on related charges and are expected to appear in Newark federal court on a date to be determined.

“The offenses charged in today’s indictment are a checklist of the activities associated with a violent street gang that has plagued Newark for years,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said. “Illegal guns, violent assaults, murder – members of this gang allegedly used all of them to maintain control over the illicit drug trafficking that is the lifeblood of their criminal enterprise. Today’s charges call them to account for these crimes.”

“Drug dealing, illegal weapons and gang violence destroy the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford, Newark Division. “The charges in this indictment should reassure the residents of Newark and New Jersey that we will continue to aggressively address gang violence through increased investigative strategies and a multi-agency approach.”

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

The Bloods street gang is organized into subgroups that operate in specific geographic locations. Sex Money Murder is the Bloods subgroup that operates primarily in Essex County, New Jersey. From 2007, Sex Money Murder controlled the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in the area surrounding Martin Luther King Boulevard and Spruce Street in Newark. The gang primarily consisted of neighborhood friends and family members who joined at a young age. In addition, the gang was organized along typical Bloods governing rules, hierarchal power structures, and visible demonstrations of gang affiliations, including tattoos. The gang also stored and circulated numerous firearms from apartments located at 725 Martin Luther Blvd. and 90 Spruce St.

Under the leadership of Narik Wilson, and with the assistance of Rutledge, Reed, and Rajohn Wilson, gang members allegedly engaged in a wide range of violent criminal activity in order to deter rival gangs, secure their drug distribution business, and silence people they believed were cooperating with law enforcement. These acts included numerous murders, shootings, robberies and auto thefts.

Other members of Sex Money Murder are currently serving prison sentences in state and federal prison for gang-related crimes.

Among the charges are several attempted murders and murders including:

  • Oct. 29, 2010- Rutledge and others allegedly attempted to murder a rival gang member, (described as “Victim 3” in the indictment) at Narik Wilson’s direction.
  • June 16, 2011- Rutledge and others allegedly attempted to murder rival gang members, (described as “Victim 4,” “Victim 5,” “Victim 6,” and “Victim 7” in the indictment) at Narik Wilson’s direction.
  • July 14, 2011- Rutledge and others allegedly murdered a rival gang member, (described as “Victim 8” in the indictment) at Narik Wilson’s direction.
  • July 31, 2011- Laquan Reed and others allegedly murdered an individual (described as “Victim 9” in the indictment) while attempting to carjack the victim’s vehicle.

The counts in the Superseding Indictment carry the following maximum penalties:

Count Offense Defendant(s) Maximum Penalties
1 Racketeering Narik Wilson, Emil Rutledge, Laquan Reed, Rajohn Wilson Life in prison (death eligible); $250,000 fine
2 Racketeering conspiracy Narik Wilson, Emil Rutledge, Laquan Reed, Rajohn Wilson Life in prison;
$250,000 fine
3 Attempted murder in aid of Narik Wilson, Emil Rutledge 10 years in prison;
$250,000 fine
4 Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 20 years in prison;
$250,000 fine
5 Use of a firearm during a violent crime Life in prison;
$250,000 fine
6 Attempted murder in aid of racketeering 10 years in prison;
$250,000
7 Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 20 years in prison;
$250,000 fine
8 Use of a firearm during a violent crime Life in prison;
$250,000 fine
9 Murder in aid of racketeering Life in prison (death eligible); $250,000 fine
10 Use of a firearm during a violent crime Life in prison;
$250,000 fine
11 Attempted murder in aid of racketeering Narik Wilson, Laquan Reed 10 years in prison;
$250,000 fine
12 Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 20 years in prison;
$250,000 fine
13 Use of a firearm during a violent crime Life in prison;
$250,000 fine
14 Conspiracy to use a firearm during a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime conspiracy Narik Wilson, Emil Rutledge, Laquan Reed, Rajohn Wilson 20 years in prison;
$250,000 fine

The investigation into the criminal activities of Sex Money Murder was a combined effort by federal and local law enforcement. U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando V. Fontoura; and the Newark Police Department with the investigation – with the significant assistance of special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski; and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stephanie R. Shoemaker.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael H. Robertson and Dara Govan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

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