By: Tracie Carter
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger has announced the indictment of two Jersey City gang members, Kenneth Harrigan and Darion Canary, on charges related to a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy.
Harrigan, also known as "Kenny" or "Kenny OGM," and Canary, alias "Goon," is implicated in a series of violent crimes, including murder, a nightclub shooting, and extensive narcotics distribution linked to the Wilkinson neighborhood gang.
The indictment details how Harrigan and Canary, both high-ranking members of the Wilkinson neighborhood street gang, have been involved in criminal activities since 2019.
One notable incident occurred on July 20, 2019, when they, along with other gang members, ventured into rival gang territory in Jersey City, resulting in the shooting of three individuals, one fatally.
Further escalating their criminal profile, on January 1, 2024, Canary executed a targeted shooting at a nightclub in Newark, where he shot a rival gang member.
At that time, Canary was residing at a halfway house following a federal narcotics conviction sentence.
The federal investigation also uncovered extensive drug trafficking activities within the Wilkinson neighborhood, with Harrigan identified as a primary narcotics supplier.
Both were previously charged in December 2021, along with four other gang associates, for drug trafficking offenses.
Now facing a RICO conspiracy charge, Harrigan and Canary could receive life sentences if convicted, reflecting the severity of their alleged crimes and their impact on community safety.
Both men were detained following their initial court appearances and arraignments on April 16, 2024, signaling a significant crackdown on gang-related activities in Jersey City.