Another Exit 8 Gang Member 'Admits Role In Murders, Shootings:' Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT —Tyjon "TJ" Preston, 21, of New Haven, pleaded guilty last week in U.S. District Court to a racketeering charge "stemming from his role in a violent New Haven street gang," according to the Justice Department.

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery was joined by the State’s Attorney, the FBI. DEA and New Haven's police chief in the announcement.

As has been the case in each of the convictions of so-called Exit 8 members, Avery and federal state and local prosecutors and investigators said they have been investigating an "ongoing gang war" in the Hill.

Avery said that investigation revealed that Preston and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders.

Prosecutors said Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence. And, it's alleged that gang members also "promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube."

Avery said Preston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that he took part in the following violent acts:

• On April 27, 2021, Preston and other Exit 8 members attempted to kill a rival gang member and shot him in the leg.
• On May 19, 2021, Preston and other Exit 8 members conspired to kill rival gang members, including one who was shot and killed on that date by another Exit 8 member. Read that story here.
• On May 20, 2021, Preston and other Exit 8 members shot and attempted to kill rival gang members.
• On July 5, 2021, Preston and another Exit 8 member shot and killed Ciera "CeeCee" Jones Whitfield, 22, after she made a rap song containing derogatory comments about Exit 8. Read that story here.

At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Preston faces a maximum of life in prison. But, per federal prosecutors, under the terms of a binding plea deal, if it's accepted by the court, it's agreed that a sentence of between 22 and 30 years in prison "is appropriate in this case."

Preston has been detained since May 22, 2021.

To date, Exit 8 gang members Antwan Hill, 21, Devin Suggs, 19, Samuel Douglas, 25,and now Preston have pleaded guilty.