NEWARK, NJ – Tre Byrd, a 22-year-old member of the notorious Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, is headed to federal prison for 12 years after admitting his role in a sprawling racketeering conspiracy. Byrd, also known as “Bands” and “G Bandz,” was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.
The case, built by a coalition of federal and local law enforcement, detailed Byrd’s involvement in a criminal enterprise responsible for violence and drug distribution across New Jersey. Court documents reveal that Byrd wasn’t just a foot soldier; he actively participated in a 2019 murder of a rival gang member in Irvington, New Jersey. The victim was fatally shot on March 20, 2019, and Byrd was directly implicated in the planning and execution of the hit.
Beyond the murder, Byrd also confessed to a brazen armed robbery in Newark on June 20, 2020. He and at least one accomplice held up a victim at gunpoint, demonstrating a clear willingness to use violence to further the gang’s criminal activities. The superseding indictment charged Byrd with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, a charge that carries significant penalties due to the scope and severity of the offenses involved.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced the sentence, highlighting the collaborative effort that brought Byrd to justice. The investigation involved agents from the DEA, IRS-Criminal Investigation, ATF, and U.S. Marshals, alongside numerous local police departments including Irvington, Newark, Bloomfield, and Elizabeth. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police also played key roles in dismantling this criminal network.
This wasn’t a standalone case. The prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, a federal program designed to target high-level criminal organizations. OCDETF utilizes a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to dismantle these groups, and this case is a prime example of that strategy in action. Byrd will also face five years of supervised release after serving his 144-month prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division led the government’s case. The conviction of Byrd sends a clear message: involvement in organized crime and violent acts will be met with the full force of the law. While this sentence removes one player from the game, authorities are likely continuing to investigate other members of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips still operating in the region.
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