Farod Baldwin, Gang Leader Charged with Possession of Semi-Automatic Weapon, New Jersey 2020

Newark Gang Leader Faces Charges for Possession of Semi-Automatic Weapon

A high-ranking member of the Bloods street gang will make his initial court appearance today on charges he possessed a weapon as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today. Farod Baldwin, 37, of Newark, was arrested July 7, 2020, at the Betty Shabazz Village Housing Complex.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, law enforcement officers were conducting surveillance in Newark when they observed Baldwin park a Jeep Grand Cherokee near an apartment. He removed a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol from the Jeep. Officers observed Baldwin tuck the firearm into his pants before entering the front door of an apartment.

Law enforcement officers lawfully searched the apartment and recovered the firearm. Baldwin attempted to flee from the apartment but was apprehended. A further search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of approximately 20 jugs of suspected cocaine base, a bullet-proof vest, two high-capacity magazines, and various ammunition, including rifle ammunition.

Baldwin is allegedly a high-ranking member of a set of the national Bloods street gang known as Sex Money Murder (SMM). Members of SMM have been engaging in violent disputes with other gangs, have trafficked narcotics, and have committed various firearms offenses. Several recent violent crimes, including shootings and homicides, in Newark and elsewhere, are believed to be related to a dispute between SMM and rival gangs.

The firearms offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. This investigation is part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Newark, a partnership between federal, state, county, and city agencies to combat violent crime in and around the city.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Toscano, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division in Newark, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Repole of the OCDETF Unit of the Criminal Division. The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/gang-leader-charged-possession-semi-automatic-weapon