Four individuals identified as members and associates of the Paterson-based street gang “4K” have been indicted in connection with a shooting incident, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
The superseding indictment names Jatrail Avent (also known as “Curry”), Shequan Roberts (“Shingy”), Jahmir Moody (“Jahdi”), and Wizair Johnson (“Wababy”), all residents of Paterson. They are charged with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The indictment also includes individual firearms charges previously filed against the defendants.
The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.
Court documents indicate that Avent, Roberts, Moody, and Johnson are associated with the 4K gang, which operates in parts of Paterson such as Rosa Parks Boulevard near Lyon Street, Keen Street, and Mercer Streets. Authorities allege that members of this group have committed various crimes to further their interests—including shootings, robberies, homicides, and drug trafficking—and have targeted rival gangs through acts of violence.
On November 6, 2022, according to statements made in court filings, the four defendants allegedly fired on members of a rival gang known as the 230 Boyz while they were inside a van. This act is described as part of an ongoing dispute between the two groups.
If convicted on the charge related to violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison. The firearm offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years—up to life imprisonment—which must be served consecutively with any other imposed sentence. Both offenses could result in fines up to $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Habba acknowledged law enforcement contributions from several agencies: “the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Newark Field Division under Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr.; New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit under Col. Patrick J. Callahan; Passaic County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Thomas Adamo; Paterson Police Department under Officer In Charge Patrick Murray,” for their work on this case.
This prosecution is part of the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), launched in 2020 by federal and local authorities aiming to address violent crime within Paterson through collaboration among multiple agencies at different government levels.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Sussman and Dan Rosenblum from the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit are representing the government.
Authorities emphasized that all charges remain allegations at this stage: “The charges and allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
Defense counsel for each defendant has been named: Michael T Simon represents Jatrail Avent; Richard J. Verde represents Shequan Roberts; Ernesto Cerimele represents Jahmir Moody; Mary Toscano represents Wizair Johnson.
