Delran Man Convicted In South Jersey Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

DELRAN, NJ — A Delran man was one of three people convicted of various narcotics and firearms offenses for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy based out of Trenton, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Jerome Roberts, 51, of Delran, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Timothy Wimbush, 31 of Trenton, was convicted of one count each of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime; and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Taquan Williams, 24 of Trenton, was convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The jury found Williams not guilty of possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

The jury deliberated for two-and-a-half days before returning the verdicts after a three-week trial in Trenton federal court, according to authorities.

Roberts, Wimbush and Williams are among 23 people who were previously charged in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy, according to authorities.

Roberts and Jakir Taylor regularly bought hundreds of bricks of heroin from David Antonio, whom they referred to as “Pop” and “Papi,” according to documents filed in the case and evidence presented during the trial.

Roberts and Taylor would then supply that heroin to other dealers and end users in and around Trenton, authorities said.

In August and September 2018, Roberts and Taylor agreed to obtain more than 1,400 bricks of heroin, which Roberts referred to as "the motherload," according to authorities.

On Oct. 25, 2018, law enforcement executed a search of Antonio’s home in Trenton, where they said they recovered nearly 1½ kilograms of heroin and a substantial amount of packaging paraphernalia.

On Sept. 6, 2018, police stopped a 2002 Volkswagen Passat after they said they saw Williams get into the car while carrying a yellow plastic bag believed to contain contraband. The car was registered to Wimbush, authorities said. Wimbush was driving the car, and both men were previously convicted felons, authorities said.

While searching the car, detectives said they found a secret trap compartment installed under the rear passenger’s seat approximately 57 bricks of heroin, four semiautomatic firearms – including a .223 caliber assault rifle linked with a shooting in Trenton four days earlier – hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and the yellow plastic bag that Williams had brought into the car.

The yellow bag contained two boxes of .45 caliber ammunition and three .45 caliber firearm magazines, which matched one of the semiautomatic firearms also found in the trap compartment, authorities said. Police identified the heroin as having been supplied by Taylor and another co-conspirator, authorities said.

The arrests were made and charges were filed after an undercover investigation that involved the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques.

Roberts faces 10 years to life in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. Wimbush faces 15 years to life in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million. Williams faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.