A leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization today admitted conspiring to distribute heroin in Ocean and Monmouth counties and elsewhere in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Rufus Young, a/k/a “Equan,” a/k/a “E-Money,” of Asbury Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
In March 2014, 19 other alleged members of the drug trafficking organization of which Young was a leader were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute heroin. The complaint referred to the drug trafficking organization as the “Britt-Young DTO,” after its leaders, Young and Robert Britt, a/k/a “True.” Of those 19 individuals, 14 have pleaded guilty.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between February 2013 and March 2014, Young conspired with others to distribute heroin in Ocean and Monmouth counties as part of the Britt-Young DTO. Young was a leader of the organization and was responsible for, among other things, supplying heroin to various sub-dealers who distributed the heroin to others. To carry out Britt-Young DTO’s drug trafficking business, Young maintained several stash house locations that he and his conspirators used to package, store and sell heroin, including a recording studio in Toms River and two apartments in Neptune. Young was responsible for distributing between one and three kilograms of heroin during the conspiracy.
The narcotics conspiracy charge to which Young pleaded carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 19, 2015.