Newark jury convicts two gang members in a violent drug trafficking operation

A federal jury has convicted two Newark men for their roles in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of the Stephen Crane Village public housing complex.

Michael Mayse, 38, and Gary Shahid, 66, were found guilty on multiple charges, including murder, drug trafficking conspiracy, and firearms offenses, following a trial that highlighted the organization’s violent and extensive criminal activities.

Mayse, identified as a leader of the Stephen Crane drug gang, was convicted of murder, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and related firearms offenses.

Shahid, a drug supplier for the organization, was convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and firearms offenses.

The convictions stem from their involvement in a drug trafficking operation that distributed heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base in and around Stephen Crane Village from February 2019 through February 2020.

Stephen Crane Village is a public housing complex near Branch Brook Park, on the border with Belleville, and has been the site of an open-air drug market, authorities said. It consists of standalone buildings, with 354 apartments in total.

According to court documents and trial testimony, the gang used a stash apartment in Stephen Crane Village to package and store drugs for distribution. The organization sold significant quantities of narcotics to confidential sources and an undercover agent.

On December 15, 2019, Mayse entered the stash apartment and murdered a fellow gang member over a monetary dispute related to the drug trafficking conspiracy.

Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna emphasized the significance of the convictions in a statement, saying, “This Office’s commitment to prosecuting violent crime and serious drug trafficking offenses is unwavering. This case demonstrates the strength of our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement and ensures that serious consequences will follow for these defendants.”

The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), involved controlled drug purchases, surveillance, and analysis of phone records.

The case was prosecuted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies to combat violent crime in Newark.

“ATF remains steadfast in identifying and apprehending those who are terrorizing our neighborhoods with violence and senseless disorder,” said L.C. Cheeks, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Newark Field Division. “These guilty verdicts bring accountability to violent criminals whose actions disregard criminal law, human life, and public safety.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz added, “Drug trafficking can be a dangerous and violent game, often entangled with deadly consequences. Today’s conviction against these two members of the Stephen Crane Village Drug Trafficking Organization, who repeatedly used violence when operating their criminal enterprise, shows the commitment the DEA and our law enforcement partners have in keeping our communities safe.”

The convictions carry severe penalties.

Mayse faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for murder and additional decades for drug and firearms offenses.

Shahid could also face significant prison time, with drug trafficking conspiracy carrying a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, among other charges.

The Stephen Crane Village, a public housing complex near Branch Brook Park, has long been a focal point of law enforcement efforts due to its history of drug-related violence and crime.

The complex, named after the renowned Newark-born author Stephen Crane, has faced decades of neglect and disinvestment, exacerbating challenges for its predominantly Black and Latino residents, many of whom are elderly or disabled.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Agnew and Jason Goldberg. Defense attorneys Thomas Ambrosio, Joel Silberman, and Keith Oliver represented Shahid and Mayse, respectively.

The convictions underscore the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to dismantle violent criminal organizations and address the root causes of crime in underserved communities.

Authorities credited the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, including the Newark Police Department, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Belleville Police Department, for their roles in the investigation.

This case was conducted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which targets high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States. For more information on the OCDETF program, visit www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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Newark jury convicts two gang members in a violent drug trafficking operation

Dealers used housing complex as open-air drug market. They were just convicted, cops say.