By: Richard L. Smith
Two members of the Sex, Money, Murder (SMM) street gang operating in the Bradley Court Housing Complex were charged by criminal complaint with murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy, and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Mr. Tyler Shorter, aka “Money Bags,” aka “Bags,” 19; and Mr. Amir Canty, aka “Blast,” 20, both of Newark, are charged by complaint with one count each of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
They made their initial court appearances on Oct. 25, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court and were detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Shorter and Canty were members of the SMM street gang set operating in the Bradley Court Housing Complex, known as M-Blok.
SMM is known for drug distribution in and around its controlled territory, fraud schemes, and interstate transportation of stolen property, as well as for violence against numerous rival neighborhoods and gangs.
Among other things, Shorter and Canty used social media and rap music to tout the power of SMM in an effort to keep victims and rivals in fear of the gang.
SMM has been involved in an escalating feud with a rival neighborhood-based gang known as GBlock, whose members are affiliated with the Grape Street Crips and operate in the area of Goodwin Avenue in Newark.
Shorter and the victim, Nyshon Anthony, were rival rappers representing their respective gangs and neighborhoods.
After an exchange of threatening and disrespectful music videos and songs released between the rival gangs, on Nov. 8, 2022, Shorter allegedly shot and killed the Anthony on South Orange Avenue in Newark with the assistance of Canty.
The murder in aid of racketeering charges are punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison and a potential capital punishment.