A Newark man was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for his role as the leader of a heroin trafficking conspiracy in Newark, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Federal Officials said Keith Herd, 33, of Newark, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to a third superseding indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today by videoconference.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Herd was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that dealt heroin and crack cocaine in and around Newark, specifically around Hayes Street and 14th Avenue in the area of the New Community Corporation community development (NCC).
The organization was comprised of members of the Brick City Brim set of the Bloods street gang.
The investigation revealed that in addition to selling drugs, members of the organization alerted each other to police presence and the presence of rival gang members or drug dealers within NCC.
The members also shared narcotics supply, narcotics proceeds, and customers, and raised bail money for each other following their numerous arrests.
Members of the organization have also engaged in violence and been the subjects of violent crime in connection with their narcotics trafficking activities.