Fifteen alleged members and associates of a Crips set, which fueled gun violence involving rival gangs in Paterson, have been indicted, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Authorities said the gang known as “42-50” ran open air drug markets in the area of Godwin Avenue and Auburn Street. It was allegedly run by Marvin Goodwin, 30, and Terike Gass, 41, both of Paterson.

Goodwin and Gass have been charged with racketeering and promoting organized street crime. They were also charged with drug offenses.

“The people of Paterson deserve to live in safety, without the fear of gun violence or the dangers associated with open-air drug markets,” said acting attorney general Andrew Bruck. “We’re focused on dismantling the criminal organizations that fuel violence in our communities, and indictments like this one play an important role in our broader public safety agenda. By pairing criminal prosecutions with innovative, community-based violence prevention programs, we can improve lives and expand prosperity in Paterson and across the state.”

Goodwin, Gass, and 10 others were arrested in October 2020, when gun violence surged because of conflict between rival gangs. Goodwin was wounded in a drive-by shooting on August 6, 2020 on Hamilton Avenue and Auburn Street. Another gang member was struck by gunfire on Godwin Avenue and Auburn Street on October 14.

“In addition to fueling gun violence in the section of Paterson where they operated, this local set of the Crips street gang allegedly sold heroin bearing the same brand stamps that were linked to eight fatal overdoses,” said Lyndsay V. Ruotolo, director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Working with the Paterson Police Department, we have locked up the alleged leaders of this dangerous drug set and charged a total of 15 defendants with first-degree racketeering, which carries a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years, 85 percent of which must be served without parole.”

Detectives seized 21,000 single-dose wax folds of heroin, including some containing deadly fentanyl, and more than a kilo of crack cocaine. The set was unloading 50,000 doses of heroin and a kilo of crack cocaine per week. Authorities seized heroin that had stamps that were linked to 8 fatal and 14 non-fatal overdoses in New Jersey.

Public safety director Jerry Speziale thanked state officials for assisting in dismantling the gang.

“This battle is ongoing, but our strong partnerships with the Attorney General’s Office, Division of Criminal Justice, and State Police will help ensure that criminal organizations are investigated, disrupted and ultimately dismantled,” said Speziale.

Indicted on racketeering and drug charges were:

1. Marvin Goodwin, 30, of Paterson, N.J.
2. Terike Gass, 41, of Paterson, N.J.
3. Arikia Goodwin, 33, of Paterson, N.J.
4. Andre Anderson, 37, of Paterson, N.J.
5. Jerome Blair, 39, of Paterson, N.J.
6. Shomahree Brown, 37, of East Orange, N.J.
7. Javon Cook, 29, of Paterson, N.J.
8. Steven Godbolt, 48, Paterson, N.J.
9. William Herrington, 40, of Paterson, N.J.
10. Brian Johnson, 38, of Paterson, N.J.
11. Kenneth McKinney, 22, of Paterson, N.J.
12. Eric Pena, 29, of Paterson, N.J.
13. Jakheem Rutter, 21, of Paterson, N.J.
14. Andre White, 44, of Paterson, N.J.
15. Christopher Younger, 20, Paterson, N.J.