By: Richard L. Smith
A leader of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang has been sentenced to 28 years in federal prison for his role in a wide-ranging racketeering conspiracy involving violent assaults and drug trafficking across New Jersey.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Jason Franklin, also known by the alias “Freak,” was sentenced to 336 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton.
The 41-year-old Franklin previously pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Federal prosecutors said Franklin was a high-ranking member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips from at least 2015 through September 2022.
The gang operated as a violent criminal enterprise responsible for distributing controlled substances and committing acts of violence in the District of New Jersey and beyond.
Court documents and testimony revealed that Franklin held a leadership position within the gang and directed other members to carry out acts of violence on multiple occasions.
One such incident occurred on March 20, 2019, when Franklin ordered a retaliatory killing in Irvington, New Jersey, in response to the murder of a fellow gang member.
Another violent act took place in early April 2021, when Franklin instructed gang associates to target rival gang members, culminating in a shooting on April 5, 2021.
The victim in that incident suffered serious injuries but survived.
In addition to the lengthy prison sentence, Judge Wigenton also imposed a three-year term of supervised release upon completion of Franklin’s incarceration.