A Passaic County man was indicted by a grand jury today for his role in a conspiracy to distributed illegal drugs in Paterson, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
According to federal officials, Dashion Kelson, 40, a/k/a “Tank,” a/k/a “Izzy,” a/k/a “Stizzy, of Paterson, was indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, five counts of distribution of controlled substances, and two counts of possession with the intent to distribute heroin. Kelson and 16 other members and associates of the 230 Boys were charged by complaint in October 2019.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Kelson and his conspirators are members and associates of the 230 Boys street gang, which operates primarily in and around Rosa Parks Boulevard and Godwin Avenue in Paterson.
Through investigative techniques, including numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, consensually recorded telephone calls and text messages, physical surveillance, and the analysis of telephone call detail records, law enforcement determined that from September 2018 through October 3, 2019, Kelson and others conspired to distribute narcotics, to include heroin and fentanyl.
On six occasions, he distributed controlled substances, including heroin and fentanyl. On October 3, 2019, Kelson possessed with the intent to distribute two separate quantities of heroin.
Six co-defendants have since pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti: Keith Brinkley, 30; Isaiah Hargrove, 21; Tyson Jacobs, 21; Amir Jones, 21; Dwayne Northern, 35; and Cequan Wharton, 30, all of Paterson. Six other co-defendants have been charged by a second superseding indictment: Wyzier Peterson, 23; Carl Brown, 26; Aaryn Abrams, 24; Najier Boone, 24; Zikeme Brooks, 27; and Jimir Ricks, 26.
This case is being conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.