By: Richard L. Smith
Ali Carney has been sentenced to 65 months in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday.
Carney, 46, pleaded guilty on January 17, 2024, to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton handed down the sentence in Newark federal court.
Court documents and statements revealed that from April 2021 through October 2022, Carney and other members of the Grape Street Crips gang operated a drug trafficking organization controlling the narcotics trade in and around the Oscar Miles Village housing complex in Newark.
Carney admitted to selling controlled substances almost daily during this period.
In addition to his prison term, Carney will serve three years of supervised release.
His sentencing follows the guilty pleas of 11 co-defendants involved in the conspiracy:
Thomas Barney, Najuwan Blake-Williams, Altray Brown, Najee Carney, Tyrone Cradle, Jaquan McAllister, Ikaim McSwain, Latif Terry, Shaquan Ward, Taji Williams, and Zaid Williams.
The year-long investigation into the drug trafficking organization revealed the distribution of over a kilogram of fentanyl-laced heroin and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.
Multiple firearms used in the narcotics trade were also seized from the conspirators.