Gang leader sentenced to 151 months in prison for selling heroin

CAMDEN, N.J. – An admitted leader of the “Fruit Town Brims” set of the Bloods street gang was sentenced Friday to 151 months in prison for dealing heroin.  The conviction follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Tyrone Tyson Sr., 40, of Camden, pleaded guilty in October 2014, to distribution and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

According to court documents, Tyson controlled the activities of the “Fruit Town Brims” set of the Bloods in Camden. He was released in August 2013, from a 21-year state prison term for first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree aggravated assault for shooting two people seated inside of a car and killing one of them. He began selling heroin in the area of North 32nd Street in Camden and sold heroin to an undercover agent twice in September 2013, just one month after being released from prison. Tyson’s criminal history also includes convictions for possession of controlled dangerous substances, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault, conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, and possessing an electronic communication device in a correctional facility.

In late July 2013, members of the Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force conducted an investigation into Tyson’s drug trafficking activities, using surveillance, undercover officers, confidential informants, audio recordings and controlled drug purchases. The investigation revealed Tyson was selling heroin in the area of North 32nd Street in Camden and, in fact, sold heroin to an undercover law enforcement agent on two occasions.

In addition to the prison term, Tyson was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

The Camden County Sheriff’s Department, the Delaware River Port Authority, the Gloucester City Police Department, the Westampton New Jersey Police Department, the Monroe Township Police Department and Washington Township Police Department assisted in the investigation.