Two Newark Bloods Street Gang Members Convicted for Racketeering Conspiracy and Gang-Related Murder

NEWARK, N.J. - Two men affiliated with the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods street gang operating in the Bradley Court Housing Complex in Newark were convicted of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit the same, and firearms offenses, United States Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

"Having spent my career prosecuting violent gangs, I know firsthand the devastation they inflict on our communities. These were not random acts, but calculated crimes committed in furtherance of a violent criminal enterprise. The jury's verdict holds these defendants accountable, brings justice to the victim and his family, and makes clear that gang affiliation will not shield those who commit serious crimes from facing the consequences of their actions."

- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer

"Getting murderers off the streets of NJ communities is a priority for FBI Newark," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. "Not only does this keep firearms and drugs out of the hands of the wrong people but prevents recidivist offenders from striking again. FBI Newark Safe Streets Task Force works tirelessly to pursue accountability for these crimes. May this show other violent gang members that justice will find you."

Following a three-week trial, Tyler Shorter, a/k/a "Money Bags," a/k/a "Bags," 22; and Amir Canty, a/k/a "Blast," 23; both of Newark, were convicted for their roles with the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods criminal street gang and the murder of a rival gang member and rapper. After less than a day of deliberations, the jury convicted Shorter and Canty on all counts of the indictment against them.

Each defendant faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled before the Hon. Michael E. Farbiarz, on March 30, 2027 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Shorter was a member and Canty was an associate of the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods street gang set operating in the Bradley Court Housing Complex, known as "Munn Block" or "M-Block." Sex, Money, Murder is known for drug distribution in and around its controlled territory, fraud schemes, and interstate transportation of stolen property, as well as for violence against numerous rival neighborhoods and gangs. Among other things, Shorter and Canty used social media and drill rap music to tout the power of Sex, Money, Murder in an effort to keep victims and rivals in fear of the gang.

Sex, Money, Murder had been involved in an escalating feud with a rival neighborhood-based gang known as GBlock, whose members are affiliated with the Grape Street Crips and operate in the area of Goodwin Avenue in Newark. The victim was a member of the Grape Street Crips.

Shorter and the victim were rival drill rappers from Newark representing their respective gangs and neighborhoods. After an exchange of threatening and disrespectful music videos and songs released by each of them, on November 8, 2022, Shorter shot and killed the victim on South Orange Avenue in Newark. Canty acted as the getaway driver. The murder was part of a crime spree where Canty and Shorter traveled to and from New York in a stolen car to attempt to steal and carjack additional luxury cars. Following the murder, Canty attempted to burn the stolen getaway car.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents and task force officers of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark and detectives with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, and Chief Mitchell G. McGuire III, for the homicide investigation. He also thanked HSI Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy, Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Emanuel Miranda, the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force under the direction of Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle, the Paramus Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert M. Guidetti, and the Nassau County Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder.

This case is part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Newark. The VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, and the City of Newark's Department of Public Safety to combat violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney's Office; the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division; the U.S. Marshals; the Newark Department of Public Safety; the Essex County Prosecutor's Office; the Essex County Sheriff's Office; the N.J. State Board of Parole; the Union County Jail; the N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center; the N.J. Department of Corrections; the East Orange Police Department; and the Irvington Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Goldberg, Chief of the Narcotics and International Trafficking Unit, George M. Barchini of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit, and Jessica L. Guarracino of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: F.R. Chip Dunne, III, Esq. for Tyler Shorter

Perry Primavera, Esq. and Stephen Turano, Esq. for Amir Canty