Four Paterson gang members indicted on racketeering-related shooting charges

Four individuals identified as members and associates of the Paterson-based street gang known as “4K” have been indicted in connection with a shooting incident, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.

Jatrail Avent, also known as “Curry”; Shequan Roberts, also known as “Shingy”; Jahmir Moody, also known as “Jahdi”; and Wizair Johnson, also known as “Wababy,” all residents of Paterson, New Jersey, are charged with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The superseding indictment includes individual firearms charges that were previously filed.

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. Other law enforcement agencies also participated in the investigation.

Court documents state that Avent, Roberts, Moody, and Johnson are associated with the 4K gang operating around Rosa Parks Boulevard near Lyon Street, Keen Street, and Mercer Streets in Paterson. The group is alleged to have committed various crimes including shootings, robberies, homicides, and drug trafficking in support of their organization. They are accused of engaging in violence against rival gangs.

On November 6, 2022, authorities allege that the four defendants fired on members of a rival gang called the 230 Boyz who were inside a van. This act was reportedly part of an ongoing dispute between 4K and the 230 Boyz.

If convicted on the charge related to violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison. The firearm offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years—up to life—which must be served consecutively to any other imposed sentence. Both offenses can result in fines up to $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited several agencies for their roles in the investigation: “the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Newark Field Division under Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr.; New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit under Col. Patrick J. Callahan; Passaic County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Thomas Adamo; Paterson Police Department under Officer In Charge Patrick Murray.”

This prosecution is part of the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), established by federal and local agencies to address violent crime within Paterson through coordinated efforts among multiple law enforcement bodies including federal prosecutors’ offices and local police departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Sussman and Dan Rosenblum from the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit are handling this case for the government.

Authorities emphasized that “the charges and allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations,” adding that “the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

Defense attorneys representing each defendant include Michael T Simon for Avent; Richard J. Verde for Roberts; Ernesto Cerimele for Moody; and Mary Toscano for Johnson.