Asbury Gang Member Haneef Walker Sentenced To 47 Years

FREEHOLD, NJ - Haneef Walker, whom authorities maintains is a member of the Crips in Asbury Park, was sentenced to 47 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy and a host of other crimes in connection with a 14-month investigation dubbed Operation Dead End.

“This prison sentence should send a strong message that we are serious about cracking down on the violence, property crimes and drug dealing that has plagued the neighborhoods of Asbury Park and Neptune,” said Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Walker, 25, was sentenced before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley today to an aggregate 47 years in a New Jersey state prison with a requirement he serve at least 28 years, one month and 24 days before becoming eligible for parole, although inmates rarely make parole on their first opportunity. He would be 53 when he first becomes eligible.

“We will continue to prosecute the perpetrators of the violence that is plaguing our cities,” Gramiccioni said.

The “Operation Dead End” investigation began in the summer of 2013, as law enforcement worked to stem violent street crimes and firearms offenses in Asbury Park. During the investigation, members of the criminal organization and their conspirators based their criminal activities out of two dead end streets in Asbury Park: Dewitt Avenue, and Jersey Street, the latter in the Washington Village Public Housing Complex.

This is the second sentencing in as many days tied to convictions as part of the investigation. Yesterday, former Asbury Park police officer Keith German was sentenced to 10 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole for his involvement with a drug distribution ring. German, 49, of Tinton Falls and a 16-year veteran of the Asbury Park Police Department, used his official position to assist the Bloods, a violent criminal street gang, in avoiding detection and prosecution by providing them with confidential law enforcement information, including on one occasion, unlawfully accessing a law enforcement database. As part of his sentence, German is permanently barred from holding any public position in the state.

The lengthy investigation revealed that members of the criminal organization acted together on numerous occasions to commit a series of armed robberies, residential burglaries and thefts, and included an organized shoplifting ring that had an established relationship with the owners of a local pawn shop.

The investigation further revealed that members of the criminal organization regularly conspired to commit several different firearms-related offenses, including unlawfully possessing firearms, transferring guns between various members of the criminal organization and targeting rival gang members and enemies for shootings.

They paid for their activities by distributing narcotics including cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, and “molly,” a form of ecstasy.

Walker on Sept. 17 was found guilty of 25 separate charges: one count of first-degree racketeering conspiracy, two counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, second-degree attempted armed robbery, four counts of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, three counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree conspiracy to commit shoplifting as part of an organized retail theft enterprise.

Also, third -degree fencing, two counts of second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault with bodily injury from a deadly weapon.– , third-degree aggravated assault – attempt to cause bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon, second- degree unlawful possession of a community gun and several third-degree drug charges, including conspiracy to possess cocaine, conspiracy to possess heroin, conspiracy to possess methylone which also is known as "Molly” and conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
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James Fair, 29, alleged to be a leader of the Bloods in Asbury Park, will tomorrow face Oxley, the judge, for sentencing. Fair initially was charged with 93 crimes, was found guilty of 78. Walker, charged with 36 crimes, was convicted of 25. Both were acquitted of attempting to murder a rival but they were convicted of aggravated assault.

This case was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Matthew Bogner and Joseph Cummings. Walker is represented by George Mardinly of Rumson

The second defendant in Operation Dead End gets 47 years in prison. Image via Shutterstock.