BRIDGEPORT, CT – Two members of the Original North End (O.N.E.) gang are facing life behind bars after a federal jury found them guilty of racketeering offenses connected to a string of violent crimes that plagued Bridgeport for years. Joshua Gilbert, aka “Lor Heavy,” 22, and Lorenzo Carter, aka “Zo,” 29, were convicted yesterday following a month-long trial at the U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.
The case, a joint operation involving the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Connecticut State Police, and Bridgeport Police, peeled back layers of a brutal gang war fueled by narcotics, revenge, and brazen disregard for human life. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that O.N.E. wasn’t just involved in drug dealing; they were systematically terrorizing rivals, stealing cars across state lines, and leaving a trail of bloodshed in their wake. The gang frequently flaunted their criminal activity on social media, using platforms to coordinate attacks and celebrate violence.
The jury heard harrowing details of a 2018 incident where O.N.E. members stole a Jeep Grand Cherokee from Newburgh, New York, intending to use it in a hit on rival gang members. Though that initial plan failed, the stolen vehicle became the instrument of a deadly mistake. On August 13, 2018, Carter and others drove the Jeep to Stratford and Union Avenues, where they opened fire on a parked car, believing it was occupied by enemies. Instead, they fatally shot Len Smith, 25, and critically wounded his female companion. The Jeep was later found burned in Indian Well State Park, an attempt to erase evidence of the murder.
The violence didn’t stop there. In 2019, O.N.E. stole a Lexus Rx350 from Rye, New York, and used it in a series of shootings. One particularly disturbing incident involved shots fired at the mother of rival gang members outside her Bridgeport home. Then, on December 8, 2019, the stolen Lexus was used in a shooting at the P.T. Barnum Housing Complex, damaging multiple vehicles. Moments later, Gilbert and other O.N.E. members used the same vehicle to ambush and kill Ty’Quess Moore, aka “Breezo,” 18.
The prosecution successfully argued that Gilbert and Carter were integral parts of the O.N.E.’s racketeering enterprise. The jury found both men guilty of racketeering conspiracy, a charge that carries a potential life sentence. Both Gilbert and Carter have been held in custody since July 2021, awaiting their fate. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and the heads of the involved agencies vowed to continue dismantling violent gangs and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities hinting at further arrests and prosecutions. This conviction sends a clear message: Bridgeport’s streets will not be controlled by gangs, and those who engage in such violent and destructive behavior will face the full weight of federal law. Sentencing for Gilbert and Carter has not yet been scheduled. The FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces led the investigation, with substantial support from the ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals, and local law enforcement.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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