Related Federal Cases
- Jersey City Gang Member, Murder, New Jersey 1935 · New Jersey
- New Jersey 1951: Larceny on the Rise, Murder Rates Decline · New Jersey
- New Jersey Murder Rate, Homicide, New Jersey 1955 · New York
- New Jersey Crime Epidemic 2008: Murder and Violent Crime Soar · New Jersey
- John Doe, Assaulting Law Enforcement Officers, New Jersey, 2024 · New Mexico
New Jersey Gang Member Charged with Murder
NEWARK, N.J. – Phillip Wiggins Jr., a 24-year-old Newark resident and alleged member of a Jersey City gang, has been charged with the March 31, 2020, murder of a Jersey City resident, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.
Wiggins is accused of traveling to an area controlled by a rival gang with which Wilkinson was feuding, and allegedly murdering Victim-1. The motive behind the murder is believed to be gang-related.
Wiggins faces a potential mandatory life sentence for the murder in aid of racketeering count. The count of causing death through use of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The count of discharging a firearm during an act of violence carries a potential mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison.
Phillip Wiggins Jr. made his initial appearance by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer and was detained without bail.
The investigation into Wiggins’ alleged crime was led by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea, in partnership with special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark.
This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department to combat violent crime in and around Jersey City.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
