Federal Jury Convicts Bloods Street Gang Leader for Illegal Firearm Possession

NEWARK, NJ—The leader of the South Side Cartel set of the Bloods in Newark was convicted today by a federal jury for illegal possession of a loaded handgun by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

The jury returned a guilty verdict against Amin Roland, 34, of Newark, following a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court. Roland was convicted of the sole count of the Indictment against him: being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

According to documents filed in this case, statements made in court, and the evidence at trial:

On the evening of February 12, 2007, officers from the Newark Police Department were patrolling the area of Springfield Avenue and Blum Street in Newark when they heard a shot ring out. Roland was observed firing a weapon at another person. When Newark police attempted to place Roland under arrest, he fled in a getaway vehicle. The victim of the shooting was hit once in the leg, but survived.

Roland’s photograph was subsequently identified, and he was captured approximately two weeks later near the scene of the crime.

Based on evidence left behind, Newark Police Department experts identified the gun used by the defendant, which was never recovered, as a Ruger .9mm semi-automatic pistol.

At sentencing, Roland faces a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is currently scheduled for Oct.19, 2012.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew W. Horace; as well as the Newark Police Department, under the leadership of Director Samuel DeMaio and Chief Sheila A. Coley; and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray, for the investigation leading to the conviction.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer, Chief of the

U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Constantine Soupios, designated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to prosecute cases on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.