PLAINFIELD, NJ — Three members of a Plainfield-based drug trafficking organization affiliated with the Sex, Money, Murder subset of the Bloods street gang have been sentenced to 108 months in federal prison, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced this week.
The defendants — Jerry Ross (“Molly”), 47; Luis Delvalle (“Lou”), 42; and Joseph Ross (“Rock”), 43 — pleaded guilty to federal charges involving the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. In addition to drug-related offenses, Joseph Ross also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
Court records and statements revealed the group operated an open-air drug market around West 3rd Street in Plainfield. Jerry Ross was identified as the leader, with Delvalle acting as a manager and supplier within the narcotics organization.
The months-long investigation included surveillance operations, controlled drug buys, and analysis of phone records. These efforts documented ongoing narcotics trafficking by the group. Subsequent search warrants executed by law enforcement recovered multiple firearms, fentanyl, other illicit drugs, and packaging materials used for distribution.
In total, ten individuals connected to the conspiracy have been charged. Besides the Ross brothers and Delvalle, defendants Pernell White (37), Jaquay Bell (36), Andre Gaddy (32), Jacob Douglas (43), Tarrell Strond (43), and Tayeire Thomas (27) also pleaded guilty. Strond was sentenced to 36 months in prison and Thomas to 48 months, while others await sentencing.
The investigation was a joint effort by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Plainfield Police Department, with additional support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Port of New York/New Jersey and the Perth Amboy Police Department.
Federal prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Goldberg (Organized Crime and Gangs Unit) and Rachelle M. Navarro (Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit) in Newark.
