Jim Kouri
Five Star General of Bloods pleads guilty
By Jim Kouri
The leader or "Five Star General" of a notorious Jersey City, NJ set of the notorious Bloods street gang pleaded guilty to murder conspiracy and other violent crimes, according to Jersey City police officials. The Bloods is a Los Angeles based organized crime gang that over the years has evolved into a sophisticated crime syndicate.
Tommy Terrell Thompson, 32, formerly of Jersey City, but in custody since his arrest in February 2004, admitted that he directed other members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder set to commit acts of murder and assault and that he took part in one of the assaults himself. He also specifically admitted directing the murder of a Jersey City man whom Thompson believed was cooperating with cops against him and other gang members.
In addition, Thompson admitted ordering the assault of a female member of the gang because of his belief that she was associating with members of the rival Crips street gang.
The plea bargain with Thompson exposes him to a likely federal prison sentence of 18 years. US District Judge William G. Bassler, who took the plea, scheduled sentencing for Oct. 10. Thompson was returned to federal custody at the Passaic County Jail.
Thompson, a/k/a "Omega Red," a/k/a "Rel," a/k/a "Big Homey," a/k/a "Mega," admitted that he organized the Sex, Money, Murder set (a "set" is an equivalent of "family" in La Cosa Nostra) in the summer of 2002 by recruiting other individuals into the gang. The murder conspiracy plea stemmed from a December 2003 shooting that Thompson ordered after federal and state charges were lodged against him the preceding October. Thompson was a fugitive from these charges at the time of the murder conspiracy.
The victim of the attempted murder, a paraplegic, was shot twice at point-blank range in the face while sitting in a wheelchair on a Jersey City street. Surprisingly, he survived the ruthless attack.
In addition to Thompson's guilty plea, on Nov. 5, 2004, Charlie Hvasta, a/k/a "Buck," pleaded guilty in connection with that shooting, at the direction of Thompson. Hvasta pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering and illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Hvasta faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each charge when he is sentenced.
Sources: Jersey City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation
© Jim Kouri
The leader or "Five Star General" of a notorious Jersey City, NJ set of the notorious Bloods street gang pleaded guilty to murder conspiracy and other violent crimes, according to Jersey City police officials. The Bloods is a Los Angeles based organized crime gang that over the years has evolved into a sophisticated crime syndicate.
Tommy Terrell Thompson, 32, formerly of Jersey City, but in custody since his arrest in February 2004, admitted that he directed other members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder set to commit acts of murder and assault and that he took part in one of the assaults himself. He also specifically admitted directing the murder of a Jersey City man whom Thompson believed was cooperating with cops against him and other gang members.
In addition, Thompson admitted ordering the assault of a female member of the gang because of his belief that she was associating with members of the rival Crips street gang.
The plea bargain with Thompson exposes him to a likely federal prison sentence of 18 years. US District Judge William G. Bassler, who took the plea, scheduled sentencing for Oct. 10. Thompson was returned to federal custody at the Passaic County Jail.
Thompson, a/k/a "Omega Red," a/k/a "Rel," a/k/a "Big Homey," a/k/a "Mega," admitted that he organized the Sex, Money, Murder set (a "set" is an equivalent of "family" in La Cosa Nostra) in the summer of 2002 by recruiting other individuals into the gang. The murder conspiracy plea stemmed from a December 2003 shooting that Thompson ordered after federal and state charges were lodged against him the preceding October. Thompson was a fugitive from these charges at the time of the murder conspiracy.
The victim of the attempted murder, a paraplegic, was shot twice at point-blank range in the face while sitting in a wheelchair on a Jersey City street. Surprisingly, he survived the ruthless attack.
In addition to Thompson's guilty plea, on Nov. 5, 2004, Charlie Hvasta, a/k/a "Buck," pleaded guilty in connection with that shooting, at the direction of Thompson. Hvasta pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering and illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Hvasta faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each charge when he is sentenced.
Sources: Jersey City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation
© Jim Kouri
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
