Three members of the Marion street gang in Jersey City are facing mandatory life sentences for committing three murders, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Myron Williams, also known as “Money,” aka “Tunchi,” 31, of Newark, Khalil Kelley, aka “Billski,” 25, and Roger Pickett, aka “Zy Gz,” 24, both of Jersey City, were convicted in connection with a multi-count indictment predicated upon their respective roles in the racketeering conspiracy, Sellinger said in a statement.
Williams was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, causing death through the use of a firearm, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Kelley was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and causing death through the use of a firearm.
Finally, Pickett was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, three counts of murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, three counts of causing death through the use of a firearm, and Hobbs Act robbery.
“These three Marion street gang members brazenly committed three murders in the name of their gang. Two rival gang members were lured to their deaths through social media accounts that gang members used to impersonate the victims’ friends, and a third individual was killed during the course of a robbery committed against him,” Sellinger added.
“The senseless killing of these three men caused incredible danger to the community. Myron Williams, Khalil Kelley, and Roger Pickett now face mandatory life sentences for their crimes, and the District of New Jersey is safer as a result. As this case demonstrates, my office is committed to working closely with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Jersey City Police Department, alongside our federal law enforcement partners, to protect the community.”
Williams, Kelley, and Pickett are all members and associates of the neighborhood street gang associated with the Marion Gardens Housing Complex, according to court documents.
Since 2013, they have committed numerous acts of violence, including three separate murders, on March 29th, 2021, November 20th, 2021, and Novbember 1st, 2022.
On March 29th, 2021, Kelley and other gang members lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the victim’s fellow gang member.
When the victim opened the door to his residence, Kelley and another gang member brandished firearms, and the victim was shot multiple times in the chest, killing him.
Pickett and Williams then picked up Kelley and other gang members after they abandoned the murder vehicle in Newark.
On November 20th, 2021, Williams, Pickett, and another gang member lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the second victim’s fellow gang member.
Williams and another gang member shot the victim when he opened the door to his residence.
Then, on November 1st, 2022, a gang member facilitated the murder of the third victim by coordinating a narcotics transaction with the victim and an associate of the victim.
When the victim and his associate arrived at the Marion Gardens Housing Complex to complete the narcotics transaction, they were robbed of their narcotics supply.
During the robbery, Pickett and another gang member held the victim and his associate at gunpoint. After a struggle ensued, Pickett shot and killed the victim while his associate fled. Pickett then fled the Marion Gardens Housing Complex in his vehicle.
Investigators observed and documented hundreds of narcotics transactions in and around the Marion Gardens Housing Complex during the months-long investigation.
Furthermore, when Williams was arrested on March 17th, 2023, he possessed controlled substances packaged for distribution.
Eight other individuals originally were indicted with Williams, Kelley, and Pickett. All have since pleaded guilty for their roles in the racketeering enterprise.
The racketeering conspiracy count of which all three were convicted carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.
Each was also convicted of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory life sentence, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and causing death through the use of a firearm, which carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison.
Pickett was also convicted of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and Williams was convicted of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which also carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison.
Their sentencing is scheduled for April 22nd, 2025.
“This verdict is a testament of our commitment in law enforcement to ensure that justice is always served. The defendants in this matter intentionally disregarded human life and instilled fear in neighborhoods across Jersey City,” noted Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
“I thank our local, state, and federal partners who continuously work collaboratively with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office to ensure residents feel safe in their own communities.”
