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Grimy Times Exclusive: ‘Hellboy’ Bloods Leader Nabbed in East Orange Drug Ring
East Orange, NJ – Tyree Thomas, 26, also known as “Hellboy,” is facing a mountain of federal charges after an ATF investigation exposed him as a key player in the East Orange drug trade. Thomas, allegedly the leader of the Sheedside Pirus set of the Bloods, and a high-ranking member of the MOB Pirus, was denied bail following a court appearance in Newark on Thursday. The charges stem from months of undercover work that linked Thomas directly to the distribution of dangerous narcotics and a callous disregard for the law.
According to federal complaints, Thomas is accused of seven counts of distributing phencyclidine – better known as PCP – along with one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and PCP, and one count of possession with intent to distribute PCP. But the charges don’t stop there. The feds allege Thomas went a step further, exploiting a minor in his drug distribution scheme, a particularly heinous offense that carries a potentially devastating sentence. The investigation, conducted between April and July of 2019, involved multiple purchases of PCP and marijuana made directly from Thomas by an undercover ATF agent.
The scope of the operation points to a sophisticated criminal enterprise. Thomas isn’t just a street-level dealer; he’s allegedly a linchpin connecting multiple Bloods sets operating in East Orange, Orange, and Newark. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is painting a picture of a deeply entrenched gang network profiting from the misery of addiction. Adding to the severity of the accusations, Thomas is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking, meaning any sentence will be compounded by an additional five years behind bars, served consecutively.
If convicted on all counts, Thomas could face a staggering 80 years in prison. The conspiracy and drug distribution charges alone carry a maximum sentence of 40 years. U.S. Attorney Carpenito lauded the collaborative effort of multiple agencies, including the ATF, Newark Police, East Orange Police, and even the Secret Service, in bringing these charges. The case falls under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a federal program aimed at dismantling major drug trafficking organizations.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Naazneen Khan, Senior Trial Counsel Robert Frazer, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Vera Varshavsky are leading the prosecution. While Thomas is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the evidence presented thus far suggests a dangerous criminal who preyed on his community and exploited vulnerable individuals. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.
The investigation was a broad effort, also including support from the N.J. State Police, the N.J. Department of Corrections, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Orange Police Department. This highlights the pervasive nature of gang activity and drug trafficking in the region, and the need for continued interagency cooperation to combat it.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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