TRENTON - Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that two men pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit weapons offenses as a result of the multi-agency investigation Operation Capital City, in which numerous defendants were charged in connection with violence that erupted in Trenton in 2005 among rival Bloods sets, as well as the Crips.
Jabari Cross, 33, of Trenton, pleaded guilty today to second-degree charges of conspiracy to commit weapons offenses and conspiracy to distribute narcotics before Superior Court Judge Robert C. Billmeier in Trenton. The state’s evidence indicated that Cross conspired with other members of the Gangster Killer Bloods to distribute narcotics and to unlawfully possess, transport and use guns. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Cross be sentenced to 10 years in state prison, including four years of parole ineligibility.
In addition, Curtis Morgan, 40, of Trenton, pleaded guilty before Judge Billmeier to second-degree conspiracy to commit weapons offenses. The state’s evidence indicated that Morgan conspired with members of the Gangster Killer Bloods to unlawfully possess, transport and use guns. Under his plea agreement, the state will recommend that Morgan be sentenced to five years in state prison.
For both Cross and Morgan, the sentences will run consecutively to prison sentences they are currently serving. Judge Billmeier scheduled sentencing for Cross and Morgan for April 5.
Deputy Attorney General Daniel I. Bornstein prosecuted the defendants for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau and took the guilty pleas. The two men were charged in a July 14, 2010 state grand jury indictment stemming from “Operation Capital City,” an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Trenton Police Department and New Jersey State Police.
Cross and Morgan were indicted with other gang members in connection with crimes that occurred in 2005, when violence erupted between the Gangster Killer Bloods and two rival Bloods sets, the Nine Trey Gangsters and Sex Money Murder, leaving three people dead, including 22-year-old Sharee Voorhees, who was caught in crossfire while out on her porch. In addition, there was violence against the rival Crips gang. Also indicted was Bernard Green, 30, a.k.a. Petey Black, a “five-star general” in the Gangster Killer Bloods or G-Shine set, who allegedly directed the gang’s activities, including drug trafficking and gun violence.
Fourteen alleged Gangster Killer Bloods members were charged in the indictment with first-degree racketeering. Green was charged along with various co-defendants with three counts of murder, six counts of attempted murder, and five counts of conspiracy to commit murder. Green and 10 co-defendants were charged with conspiring to unlawfully possess, use and traffic in guns. Green was also charged with drug offenses and being a leader of organized crime. The charges against Green and most of the other defendants are pending, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. #### |