Atlantic County drug-ring indictment names 30 suspects

MAYS LANDING – An alleged leader of a large-scale drug ring continued to run his illicit business from a jail cell, using cellphones smuggled into the facility by a corrections officer, authorities alleged Wednesday.

Shiraz Khan, 31, who also allegedly had drugs brought into the jail, is among 30 people indicted in connection with the drug network, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday.

Three of those indicted are charged with a February 2019 murder in Atlantic City, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

It said law enforcement officers seized some $2.6 million during an investigation that began in March 2017. They also confiscated eight parcels of lands, including property in Hamilton, Pleasantville and Buena, and three phones.

More:Gloucester Township man fatally struck by vehicle while changing a tire

More:Police charge 18-year-old, seize more than $230K in drugs, cash

Khan and Steven Martinez, 27, are accused of leading a narcotics trafficking network and possessing drugs, among other offenses.

They allegedly supplied large quantities of heroin, cocaine, prescription painkillers and marijuana to dealers who worked for the ring, the statement said.

Martinez and two alleged ring members — Shamar Scott, 25, and Deshawn Hose, 23 — were indicted for murder and conspiracy charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Demond Tally, 45, in Atlantic City.

All five suspects are currently incarcerated.

Several suspects were previously arrested for drug and weapons offenses, the prosecutor's office noted.

The indictment accuses 28 people of racketeering and other offenses. Two men —  Howard Dunns, 45 of Millville and Shamal Harvey, 26, who is incarcerated — are charged with possessing an electronic device in jail. 

A former Atlantic County Jail corrections officer, 26-year-old Luis Mercado of Pleasantville, is accused of bribery, official misconduct and other offenses.

“Investigations are ongoing in connection to other acts of violence committed by this organization,” the prosecutor’s office said. 

Those indicted include Jeanette Campbell, 48, of Camden; Selina Acevedo, 30, of Mullica; Jahleem Montague-Williams, 26, of Atlantic City; and Galloway residents Alexis Owens, 21; Shaquille Scott, 23; and Mehmmad Rehman, 29.

The indictment also names four Egg Harbor City residents; Tashaun Pressley, 21; Raekwon McKenney, 22; Theresa Strong, 41; and Brian Campbell, 43; Pleasantville residents Berry Bethea, 47; Santia Manassanet, 30; and Clifford Jones, 27; and two people from Egg Harbor Township, Zachary Michaels, 29 and Naim Lyons, 30.

Others charged are Anthony Hamilton, 35, of Elizabeth; Laura Corcino, 34, of Union City; and incarcerated suspects Scott Dorn, 22; Isaiah Newsome, 23; Kevin Moulden, 29; Robert Strong, 30; Joshua Cortes, 32, and Lorin Wright, 35.

Jim Walsh reports for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. His interests include crime, the courts and being first with breaking news. Reach him at jwalsh@gannettnj.com.

Help support local journalism with a subscription.