By: Richard L. Smith
A high-ranking member of the Rutgers neighborhood street gang in Jersey City has been charged for his involvement in a shooting that injured six people, according to information released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to federal officials, Micah Reid, also known as “Nips,” 33, faces charges of violent crime in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Reid appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court, where he was ordered detained.
According to court documents and statements, Reid is an influential figure in the Rutgers street gang, which operates in the Triangle Park area of Jersey City.
The gang has a history of violent retaliation against rival groups in areas including the Salem Lafayette Apartments and sections of Wilkinson Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Martin Luther King Drive, and Wegman Parkway.
The charges stem from an incident on October 1, 2023, when Reid allegedly drove a stolen vehicle to Culver Avenue, where he opened fire on rival gang members and associates exiting a nightclub.
Six individuals were wounded in the shooting. During a subsequent search of Reid’s residence, law enforcement recovered the firearm used in the attack.
If convicted, Reid faces up to 30 years in prison on the racketeering-related charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life for the firearm offense, which must be served consecutively.
Both charges carry a potential fine of $250,000.
The case underscores ongoing efforts to combat gang-related violence in Jersey City as authorities continue to pursue justice for the victims.
Further updates are expected as the case progresses.