Fifteen alleged members of a Trenton-based street gang have been indicted on charges including racketeering, murder, attempted murder, shootings, assaults, robberies, and carjackings. The announcement was made by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ). The indictment covers crimes that occurred in Trenton and neighboring towns.
The accused adults include Justice Chambers, 25, of Trenton, who is identified as the gang’s leader. Chambers faces charges of one count of murder, four counts of attempted murder, assaults, weapons offenses, conspiracy, and being a leader of organized crime. All defendants have been arrested; 13 are currently detained pending trial.
“The violence allegedly carried out by this gang strikes at the heart of our communities,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Every family deserves to feel safe on their block and in their home. We will continue working with our law enforcement and community partners to dismantle organizations that threaten that sense of security.”
“This takedown reflects months of coordinated investigative work with our law enforcement partners,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We will continue to investigate and prosecute organizations that endanger our communities.”
“I want to thank the Attorney General for focusing the resources and tools needed to dismantle a criminal network of this magnitude and keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey. “I would also like to commend all of the attorneys and investigators for their outstanding work bringing this case together. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to stop these violent street gangs from endangering our communities.”
“This investigation was significant in that this gang and its leaders were allegedly involved in numerous acts of violence including murders and attempted murders in Trenton and surrounding municipalities,” said Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson. “It would not have been possible to take down this network without the joint operation between local, county, and state authorities. I commend all personnel involved for a job well done. I am thankful that we all are dedicated to making the communities safer. Our commitment to public safety will never end.”
“This indictment of 15 members of a violent Trenton street gang marks a significant step toward making our communities safer,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “These individuals are accused of spreading fear through acts of murder, shootings, assaults, robberies, and carjackings that have no place in our neighborhoods. We are sending a clear message: we will not tolerate violence, and we will hold anyone who endangers our residents accountable. This case is the result of strong collaboration among local, county, and state law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to dismantle this alleged criminal network. Our commitment remains unwavering — we will continue working together to protect our communities and ensure that public safety always comes first.”
According to court documents related to this case:
From February 2023 through June 2025, the OutSouf criminal street gang operated out of South Trenton under Chambers’ leadership. Members were responsible for several violent incidents during this period.
Chambers and Jhosse Tolentino (now deceased) were high-ranking members; other defendants held roles such as mid-level member or firearms keeper while others acted as shooters or associates.
After Tolentino’s death on April 9, 2023, OutSouf members allegedly committed multiple retaliatory acts—referred to as “drills”—including two homicides in August (T.F.) and September (B.L.) 2023 carried out by lower-level members seeking status within the group.
Investigators noted patterns where OutSouf members obtained firearms for these drills; used vehicles—sometimes stolen or with swapped license plates—to avoid detection; targeted rivals or others in opposing territories; then claimed responsibility via social media or rap videos.
OutSouf allegedly circulated community guns among its members for use in various crimes between April 2023–June 2025; some firearms linked with these events were recovered during arrests.
Stolen cars played a role: On August 15–18th 2023 Parker & E.M reportedly discussed stealing a vehicle later used in T.F.’s homicide; another incident involved thefts by Jackson et al., resulting in recovery of firearms after arrest.
Deputy Attorneys General Elizabeth Newton & Jaclyn Dowd along with Special Deputy Attorney General Kyle Petit are prosecuting under supervision from Deputy Chief Nicole Siano & Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto; Mercer County Assistant Prosecutors Daniel Matos et al assisted alongside detectives from DCJ & local agencies.
Penalties for first-degree murder range from 30 years up to life imprisonment before parole eligibility plus fines up $200k; racketeering carries up to $500k fine & up-to-20-year sentence subject No Early Release Act; lesser degrees carry proportionally lower sentences/fines.
All charges remain allegations unless proven guilty in court.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin oversees legal standards across all counties within New Jersey—offering services such as legal representation statewide enforcement oversight victim advocacy consumer protection—and holds statutory authority over public safety matters throughout New Jersey.
