County gang task force sweep nets 40 arrests
Prosecutor: Long Branch resident is a known member of the Bloods

FREEHOLD - A Monmouth Countywide investigation into the Bloods street gang resulted in the arrest of 40 individuals, including a resident of Long Branch.

On March 4, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office's Gang Task Force conducted a sweep, targeting reputed gang members and associates involved in criminal activity in the county.

The sweep resulted in 40 arrests on various drug-possession, weapons-possession and assault charges, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The arrests follow a "lengthy" investigation by the Gang Task Force, which included police breaking up an alleged meeting of five members of the "MOB" set of the Bloods, according to the release.

"It is our intent to maintain a focus on criminal street gangs and their members and associates in an effort to reduce the drug and gun trade and the related violence which is inherent in street gang lifestyle," Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said.

He added that the recent arrests represent the third sweep of street gang members and their associates conducted by the Gang Task Force since its formation.

Valentin formed the Gang Task Force in 2007 in an effort to focus law enforcement on criminal activity being conducted by street gang members and their associates in Monmouth County.

"This third sweep demonstrates the commitment of this office and our law enforcement partners to eradicate gang members, their associates and customers from our Monmouth County communities," Valentin said. "Gang members and their associates are on notice that this office and our partners at the various municipal police departments will have zero tolerance for gang-related activity inMonmouth County."

The Gang Task Force currently includes law enforcement officers from several Monmouth County municipalities, including the Long Branch, Asbury Park, Neptune Township, Keansburg, Howell Township and Marlboro Township police departments.

Assistance was also provided by the Asbury Park Police Department's Street Crimes Unit and the Monmouth County Sheriff 's Office.

Valentin said that the sweep resulted in the seizure of a Lexus vehicle, a Subaru car, approximately $28,000, more than 5 pounds of marijuana, approximately 80 grams of crack/cocaine, and a small quantity of heroin, according to the press release.

On March 5, detectives from the Gang Task Force responded to a residence located on Summerfield Avenue in Asbury Park. The detectives observed a meeting of five members of the MOB set of the Bloods street gang, according to the release.

Police arrested Kyle Morgan, 18, Daniel J. Mack, 18, Jashawn T. Mack, 19, Phillip Gross, 20, and Dante Brown, 21, who were all present at the meeting, according to the release. All five individuals are residents of Asbury Park.

Morgan is a known member of the MOB set of the Bloods Street Gang, according to the release.

The five individuals were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute in a school zone, according to the release.

From March 4 through March 7, the Gang Task Force worked in an effort to apprehend additional members and associates of the Bloods street gang, authorities said.

Through the investigative efforts, a total of 35 other individuals were arrested on complaints charging them with various crimes committed on or about July 1 through March 3, including the arrest of Long Branch resident Larry Daniels, 20.

Daniels, who is a known member of the Bloods, was arrested and charged with third-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to the release.

Others arrested on various cocaine charges include the following: Jason Turner, 27; Tyreek Simmons, 21; Phillip Wiley, 33; Michael Brodie, 20; Salik Hinton, 18; Ludji Desroches, 19, and Dejanetta Accoo, 27. The above are all residents of Asbury Park, and Turner, Hinton, Simmons and Desroches are known members or associates of the Bloods street gang, according to the release.

Police also arrested the following on various cocaine charges: Sonya Burgess, 25, Lakewood; Edward J. Falzarano, 25, Ocean Grove; Frank J. Falzarano III, 27, Bradley Beach; Maria Ospina, 58, Asbury Park, and Frederick Esposito, 19, Manalapan.

Police arrested and charged Wendy Smith, 21, ofAsbury Park, who is Turner's girlfriend, and Jaleesa Smith, 19, of Asbury Park, who is Wendy Smith's sister.

Both women were charged with obstructing the administration of justice and are known associates of the Bloods street gang, according to the release.

Neptune City resident Edward V. Bermingham III, 26, was also arrested as part of the sweep and charged with fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets and fourth-degree possession of marijuana.

Bermingham is additionally facing various charges on possession of the prescription drugs Roxicodone and Xanax with intent to distribute.

Zackariah Famula, 19, of Farmingdale, andMohamed Sarwat, 18, of Howell, were both arrested and charged with multiple counts of third-degree distribution of Roxicodone. Famula was also charged with multiple counts of second-degree aggravated assault. The victims of the aggravated assaults are police officers.

Police arrested and charged Eugene Reeves, 20, of Freehold, with second-degree aggravated assault. The victim of the aggravated assault is a police officer.

Middletown resident Daniel J. Supienski, 19, was arrested and charged with sale of a defaced firearm.

Police also arrested and charged Natalie Famula, 51, of Howell, with various charges for possessing Suboxone, which is used to treat opiate addiction.

In addition, the following individuals were served with summonses charging them with disorderly persons offenses relating to possession of drug paraphernalia and/or attempting to purchase narcotics:

Broderick B. Tanner, 38, Asbury Park; Michael G. Monaghan, 24, of Leonardo; Brian Battali, 31, of Belmar; Paul Hammond, 56, ofAsbury Park; Kevin Graham, 39, of Asbury Park; Randy Martin, 23, of Asbury Park; Marques Mills, 25, of Asbury Park; Stephen Adams, 39, of Neptune Township; Patrick Gulley, 42, of Bradley Beach; Karen Martin, 41, of Asbury Park; Eric Young, 46, ofAsbury Park, and TheddeusWest, 27, of Neptune Township.

In addition to the 38 adults who were arrested, two juveniles were arrested and charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.