Written by NEWARK — A member of a street gang working out of Newark admitted today to his role in a crack cocaine distribution operation in the city.
Rasheed Smith, 20, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley Chesler in Newark to one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, said U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.
Smith, also known as “Weed,” was arrested last April as part of a sweeping sting on a gun-and-cocaine trafficking operation run by Grape Street Crips. Eleven people were charged in that investigation.
Smith told Chesler he and two other men in the case conspired to distribute nearly 200 grams of crack cocaine in Newark. Smith made arrangements with an unidentified person at the Hyatt Court housing community in Newark for the sales. Marquis Works, a fellow gang member, and Stevie Buckuse, an alleged associate, are accused of making the sales, which were were monitored by law enforcement officers.
Works pleaded guilty Nov. 4 to distribution and possession with intent to distribute. When Works later failed to show up for a bail review hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Esther Salas issued a warrant for his arrest. Works remains at large, Fishman said.
A trial for Buckuse is scheduled for June 7 in federal court.
When he is sentenced on May 24, Smith faces between 5 and 40 years in prison. He also could be fined $2 million, Fishman said.
