Anthony Howlett, 28, of Trenton, was one of 14 indicted in 2010 for a series of shootings in 2005, when gun violence erupted between rival gangs in the city.
Exterior view of the the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse in Trenton on South Warren St.
TRENTON — An alleged member of the Gangster Killer Bloods street gang pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge today, adding his name to a list of co-defendants who have accepted plea agreements with the state.
Anthony Howlett, 28, of Trenton, was one of 14 indicted in 2010 for a series of shootings in 2005, when gun violence erupted between rival gangs in the city.
Under an agreement negotiated with the state attorney general's office, Howlett pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree racketeering before Judge Robert Billmeier. The state will recommend a sentence of seven to 10 years and the other charges against him will be dropped.
Howlett admitted that in 2005 as part of racketeering with members of his street gang, he unlawfully had weapons and transferred guns.
Also today, one of Howlett’s co-defendants, Ronald “Double R” Smith, was sentenced to five years in prison by Billmeier.
Smith, 30, of Trenton, pleaded guilty on Dec. 10 to possession of heroin with intent to distribute. The sentence will run concurrent to a federal prison sentence he is serving for an unrelated charge. Racketeering, drug and weapons charges were dismissed against Smith as part of his plea deal.
Of 14 alleged gang members named in a 74-count indictment, 10 have not accepted plea agreements and may proceed to trial.
Bernard “Petey Black” Green, 30, a “five-star general” of the Gangster Killer Bloods, or G-Shine, set was one of those charged in the indictment. Prosecutors said Green was directing the gang’s activities including drug trafficking and gun violence.
Green faces three counts of murder, seven counts of attempted murder and five counts of conspiracy to commit murder.
“People are sick and tired of the endless cycle of violence plaguing our streets,” Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said in a statement. “We will continue to make prosecuting those involved in gang activity a priority in my office.”
The gang members were arrested after an investigation by the Attorney General’s office, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Trenton police and the State Police called “Operation Capital City.”
The alleged criminal activity by the gang members occurred from March to August 2005. During that time three people were murdered in one two-hour span and gang violence contributed to a record 31 homicides in Trenton that year.