Two Newark Gang Members Convicted in Racketeering and Gang Murder Case, Face Mandatory Life Sentences
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey announced on November 6 that two Newark men affiliated with a street gang were convicted at federal trial of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit the same, and firearms offenses.
The defendants are Tyler Shorter, 22, and Amir Canty, 23, both of Newark. Prosecutors said Shorter was a member and Canty an associate of the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods street gang, which operates in the Bradley Court Housing Complex area of Newark and is known for drug distribution, fraud schemes, interstate transportation of stolen property, and violence against rival neighborhoods and gangs.
After a three-week trial and less than a day of deliberations, the jury convicted both men on all counts of the indictment. Each faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is scheduled for March 30, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Shorter and the victim were rival drill rappers from Newark representing their respective gangs. After an exchange of threatening and disrespectful music videos and songs, Shorter shot and killed the victim on South Orange Avenue in Newark on November 8, 2022, while Canty acted as the getaway driver. The murder was part of a spree in which the two traveled to and from New York in a stolen car to attempt to steal and carjack additional luxury cars, and Canty later attempted to burn the getaway car.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said the crimes were not random acts but calculated crimes committed in furtherance of a violent criminal enterprise, and that the verdict holds the defendants accountable and brings justice to the victim and his family. FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy said getting murderers off the streets of New Jersey communities is a priority for the FBI.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force, among others, as part of the Violent Crime Initiative in Newark, formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the City of Newark's Department of Public Safety to pool federal, state, county and city resources against violent offenders.
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国联邦调查局（FBI）总部大楼（美国政府官方图）。 / Photo: FBI headquarters building (U.S. government photo).
