NEWARK, N.J. — A fatal home invasion targeting a suspected heroin dealer in 2015 has led to federal murder charges against three men, including Grape Street Crips member Aaron Terrell, a/k/a “Push,” 26. Terrell, Jahad Lemons, a/k/a “JBird,” 26, and Papayaw Mack, a/k/a “GY,” 25, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of murder during a crime of violence, Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
The attack unfolded on August 18, 2015, when Terrell, Lemons, Mack, and two others — identified only as CC-1 and CC-2 — stormed the apartment of Victim-1 in a Newark residential complex. Believing the target was a heroin trafficker with cash and drugs on hand, the crew surrounded him outside his door, forced him inside at gunpoint, and robbed Victim-1, Victim-2, and Victim-3 of cash and personal belongings. During the chaos, Terrell and CC-2 allegedly opened fire, killing Victim-1 and critically wounding Victim-2.
Terrell was arrested by Newark Police on August 26, 2015. Lemons was captured in Georgia nearly two months later, on October 26, 2015. Mack remains at large and is currently wanted by federal authorities. All three were initially charged by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office with state murder and robbery counts before the case escalated to federal indictment.
Terrell is no stranger to federal scrutiny. He is also facing separate federal charges in a sixth superseding indictment tied to a racketeering conspiracy involving the New Jersey faction of the Grape Street Crips, a violent street gang entrenched in Newark’s drug and gun trade. The current indictment underscores the gang’s reach into organized, deadly home invasions.
If convicted, each defendant faces life in prison on the murder count. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years, to be served consecutively, with a maximum of life. The Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy counts each carry up to 20 years. All charges include a potential $250,000 fine. The case is being prosecuted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, highlighting its ties to broader criminal networks.
The investigation was led by FBI agents under Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, with critical support from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, and the Newark Department of Public Safety, directed by Anthony F. Ambrose. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Osmar J. Benvenuto and Barry A. Kamar are prosecuting. Defense counsel include Michael N. Pedicini, Esq., for Terrell, and Kathleen M. Theurer, Esq., for Lemons.
Related Federal Cases
- Grape Street Crips Gang Member, Two Others Indicted For Murder During Home-Invasion Robbery · New Jersey
- Grape Street Crips Wholesalers Keem, E-Wax Plead Guilty · Washington
- Grape Street Crips Wholesaler ‘Bad News’ Pleads Guilty · New Jersey
- 20 Charged in Mad Stone Bloods Racketeering Case · Connecticut
- Wilson Madrid Gets 7 Years for Drug Cash Laundering · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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