Yesterday, a jury in Newark convicted two men from New Jersey for their involvement in a violent drug trafficking organization. Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced the verdicts against Michael Mayse and Gary Shahid, both residents of Newark.
Michael Mayse, aged 38, was identified as a leader of the Stephen Crane Drug Trafficking Organization. He was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to traffic drugs, and related firearms offenses. Gary Shahid, aged 66, served as a drug supplier for the same organization and was convicted on charges including drug trafficking conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
"This Office’s commitment to prosecuting violent crime and serious drug trafficking offenses is unwavering," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna. He emphasized the importance of partnerships with law enforcement agencies at various levels to ensure accountability for such defendants.
ATF Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., from the Newark Field Division, remarked on the significance of these convictions: "These guilty verdicts bring accountability to violent criminals whose actions disregard criminal law, human life, and public safety."
DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz commented on the dangerous nature of drug trafficking: "Today’s conviction against these two members... shows the commitment... in keeping our communities safe."
The case revealed that Stephen Crane Village, located near Branch Brook Park at the border of Newark and Belleville, served as an open-air market for drugs managed by this organization from February 2019 through February 2020. Law enforcement used various methods such as controlled purchases and surveillance to determine that the group conspired to distribute narcotics like heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base.
A significant incident involved Mayse entering a stash apartment within Stephen Crane Village on December 15, 2019, where he murdered another member over a monetary dispute related to their operations.
Sentences for these crimes are severe; conspiracy to distribute heroin alone carries up to 40 years in prison with substantial fines. Additional charges could lead to life imprisonment or fines reaching $10 million.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited several law enforcement bodies for their roles in this investigation including ATF's Newark Field Division under L.C. Cheeks Jr., DEA's New Jersey Field Division led by Cheryl Ortiz, among others.
The investigation was part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), established in August 2017 by multiple agencies aimed at reducing violent crime around Newark through collaborative efforts.
The case also falls under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which targets high-level criminal organizations using an intelligence-driven approach.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Agnew and Jason Goldberg represented the government in this case.
Defense counsel included Thomas Ambrosio for Gary Shahid and Joel Silberman along with Keith Oliver for Michael Mayse.