An alleged member of a Jersey City gang has been charged with the March 31, 2020, murder of a Jersey City resident, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
According to federal officials, Phillip Wiggins Jr., 24, of Newark, is charged by complaint with one count each of murder in aid of racketeering, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and causing death through use of a firearm.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said that he made his initial appearance by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer and was detained without bail.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Wiggins is allegedly associated with a street gang known to operate in the area of Wilkinson Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Martin Luther King Drive, and Wegman Parkway in Jersey City.
On March 31, 2020, Wiggins traveled to an area controlled by a rival gang with which Wilkinson was feuding and allegedly murdered the victim.
Wiggins faces a potential mandatory life sentence for the murder in aid of racketeering count.