Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced Friday a member of the New Jersey Grape Street Crips gang pleaded guilty to orchestrating a murder, conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and participating in a separate attempted murder.
Thirty-year-old Rashan Washington, aka “Shoota” pleaded guilty to attempted murder and murder as part of a racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to possess a firearm, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, participating in a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to distribute about 280 grams of crack cocaine.
Washington left a victim in a Jeep Cherokee knowing another gang member was going to kill him. After the victim was shot in the head, Washington received a promotion.
Forty-one-year-old Corey Hamlet, aka “C-Blaze,” of Newark had ordered the victim killed, because he and other members believed the victim set up a meeting in Millburn to try to stop a long-running feud between Hamlet and another person.
On October 7, 2013, Washington and other gang members sought to avenge the murder of a fellow gang member by member of a rival gang. They travelled to Newark, where another Grape Street Crips member tried to shoot members of the rival gang, before they fled the scene.
Washington is facing a 30-year prison sentence. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 2, 2018.