2 Grape Street Crips Gang Members Admit Dealing Heroin and Crack-Cocaine

Two members of the Grape Street Crips gang admitted their roles in conspiracies to distribute heroin and crack-cocaine in and around Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Larry Coleman, a/k/a “LA,” 28, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin. Tauheed Satchell, a/k/a “Tah,” 26, also of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares to a separate information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute crack-cocaine and one count of possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

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

Coleman admitted that from December 2014 through May 20, 2015, he conspired with others to distribute 20 bricks of heroin. Satchell admitted that from April 2014 through May 2015, he conspired with others to distribute 28 grams of crack-cocaine. Satchell, who was convicted in March 2009 of distributing a controlled substance on school property, also admitted possessing an AMT .380 9mm Kurz Backup semi-automatic pistol and six hollow point bullets.

The conspiracy to distribute heroin charge to which Coleman pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The conspiracy to distribute crack-cocaine charge to which Satchell pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The unlawful possession of a firearm charge to which Satchell pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing for Coleman and Satchell is set for Feb. 16, 2016 and Feb. 1, 2016, respectively.

In May 2015, over the course of three weeks, 50 alleged members and associates of the Grape Street Crips were charged by criminal complaints with drug-trafficking, physical assaults and witness intimidation. The charges are the result of a long-running investigation led by the DEA and FBI, in conjunction with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Newark Police Department and Essex County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Narcotics. Over the course of the entire investigation, 71 defendants have been charged with federal and state charges.

Other defendants who have recently pleaded guilty include Bernard Anderson, a/k/a “BA,” 32, and Dennis Wright, a/k/a “Hersh,” a/k/a “Coyote,” 32, both of Newark, who pleaded guilty to heroin distribution charges on Oct. 21, 2015, and Oct. 13, 2015, respectively. Monesha Johnson, a/k/a “Smoove,” 36, and Willie Brooks, a/k/a “Animal,” 24, both of Newark, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack-cocaine on Oct. 6, 2015. Antonio Foye, a/k/a “Steel,” 29, of Newark pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon and conspiracy to distribute crack-cocaine on Sept. 23, 2015.