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Rollin’ 60s Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Ordering Murders, RICO Conspiracy
Gang leader admits ordering multiple acts of violence, including a murder and attempted murder.
NEWARK, NJ – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced. Jason Franklin, known as “Freak,” age 41, appeared before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton and admitted to his role in directing violent gang activities as part of a larger criminal enterprise.
Court documents reveal that between 2015 and September 2022, Franklin held a leadership position within the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips—a “criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances” in New Jersey and beyond. Franklin allegedly:
- Ordered a Murder (March 20, 2019): In Irvington, New Jersey, Franklin directed other members to kill an individual in retaliation for the murder of a Rollin’ 60s member.
- Ordered an Attempted Murder (April 5, 2021): He instructed associates to retaliate against rival gang members, resulting in a shooting that left a victim with serious injuries.
Sentencing
Franklin faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the RICO conspiracy charge. Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which brings together federal, state, and local resources to combat high-level criminal organizations. The probe was also conducted under the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI)—a partnership launched in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety. The VCI pools resources across agencies to prosecute individuals who threaten community safety through violent crime.
