A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang has pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna. Jason Franklin, also known as "Freak," admitted his involvement before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton.
Franklin, aged 41, was charged with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy in a superseding indictment. Court documents and statements reveal that from around 2015 until September 22, 2022, Franklin played a leadership role within the gang. He directed members to commit acts of violence and engage in drug distribution across New Jersey and beyond.
One incident highlighted in court occurred on March 20, 2019, when Franklin ordered the murder of an individual in Irvington, New Jersey, as retaliation for the killing of a fellow gang member. In April 2021, he instructed members to retaliate against rival gangs leading to an attempted murder on April 5 that year.
Franklin could face life imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 at his sentencing scheduled for May 21, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited multiple law enforcement agencies for their roles in the investigation. These included special agents from the DEA under Special Agent Cheryl Ortiz's direction; IRS-CI led by Special Agent Jenifer Piovesan; ATF overseen by Special Agent L.C. Cheeks Jr.; investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service under Marshal Juan Mattos; and several local police departments across New Jersey.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among various agencies.
This investigation also falls under the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), established in August 2017 by federal and local authorities to combat violent crime around Newark through collaborative resource sharing among participating agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francesca Liquori and Jake A. Nasar are representing the government in this case.
Defense counsels include Anthony Iacullo Esq., and Michael Koribanics Esq.
