Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Associated with Bloods Street Gang Sentenced to 108 Months’ Imprisonment

NEWARK, N.J. - Three members of a drug trafficking organization associated with the Sex, Money, Murder subset of the Bloods street gang street gang were each sentenced to 108 months in prison, Acting United States Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Jerry Ross, a/k/a "Molly" ("Je. Ross"), age 47, Luis Delvalle, a/k/a "Lou" ("Delvalle"), age 42, and Joseph Ross, a/k/a "Rock" ("Jo. Ross"), age 43, each previously pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to Informations that charged each of them with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin. Jo. Ross also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Je. Ross was the leader of the drug trafficking organization, and Delvalle was a manager and supplier. All three received sentences of 108 months in prison.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

The Ross brothers, Delvalle, and their co-conspirators are all members and associates of a drug trafficking organization that operated an open-air narcotics market in and around the area of West 3rd Street in Plainfield, New Jersey ("West 3rd Street"). The West 3rd Street drug trafficking organization is affiliated with, and the defendants are members and associates of, the Sex, Money, Murder subset of the Bloods street gang. For several months, law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance of the area, conducted numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, and analyzed telephone records, all of which demonstrated extensive interactions related to drug trafficking between and among the members of the conspiracy. Following the execution of search warrants and arrests of the defendants, law enforcement recovered multiple firearms, controlled substances including fentanyl, and supplies to package and distribute those drugs on the street.

All co-conspirators charged in the case, including Je. Ross, Delvalle, Jo. Ross, Pernell White, 37, Jaquay Bell, 36, Andre Gaddy, 32, Jacob Douglas, 43, Tarrell Strond, 43 and Tayeire Thomas, 27, all of New Jersey, have also pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Thomas was sentenced to 48 months in prison and Strond was sentenced to 36 months in prison. The remaining defendants are set to be sentenced in the coming weeks.

"These sentences confirm our commitment to eradicating the Bloods and all violent criminal street gangs throughout New Jersey. For too long, this gang plagued the residents of Plainfield with a scourge of drugs, primarily deadly fentanyl, weaponizing addiction for their own personal gain. Every law-abiding citizen deserves to feel safe in their neighborhoods and free from gangs infiltrating their communities," said Acting United States Attorney and Special Attorney Habba. "My office is committed to our long-standing partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement to eliminate gangs like the Sex Money Murder set of the Bloods, wherever they attempt to gain a foothold. Let these sentences serve as a clear message that if you engage in gang activity, we will find you, dismantle your operation, and prosecute you."

"These sentencings send a clear message: violent criminals who poison our communities with dangerous drugs will be held accountable," said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy. "These convictions are the product of a relentless two-year investigation into a drug trafficking network that put New Jersey families and the American public at risk. As additional defendants await sentencing, HSI remains steadfast in tearing down criminal organizations and protecting the safety of our neighborhoods."

Acting United States Attorney Habba credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations in Newark under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, detectives of the Union County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William Daniel and Chief Harvey A. Barnwell, and officers of the Plainfield Police Department under the direction of Director James Abney and Captain Brian Newman, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked agents with United States Customs and Border Protection for the Port of New York/New Jersey under the direction of Port Director TenaVel Thomas, and officers of Perth Amboy Police Department under the direction of Chief Lawrence Catano, for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Goldberg of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and Rachelle M. Navarro of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering and Recovery Unit in Newark.

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