Delaware News

DOJ, WPD Secure New Felony Charges in NorthPak Re-indictment

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, June 13, 2023


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The Department of Justice has secured two additional felony charges in its case against the violent gang NorthPak as a result of the ongoing investigation led by Wilmington Police Department.

“This investigation never stops running,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These charges are a reflection of the dogged determination of Wilmington PD and our prosecutors, who have already secured more than 100 charges — and decades of prison sentences — against one of Wilmington’s most violent gangs. This investigation, and others like it, help explain how Wilmington and Delaware as a whole have outpaced national reductions in gun violence since 2020. I’m grateful for our teams’ tireless work to hold these defendants accountable and to continue to reduce gun violence in our community.”

“The new and upgraded charges against this defendant demonstrate our continued commitment to this investigation – and the unyielding efforts of our department and our partners to hold these offenders accountable for their crimes,” said Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. “I hope these charges help bring a measure of comfort to the community, and send a strong message that those responsible for gun violence in our community will be held accountable.”

The re-indictment charges defendant J’Shawn Edwards, 20, with Attempted Murder 1st Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, both in connection with a September 24, 2020 shooting. The full list of charges against Edwards is:

  • Murder 1st Degree
  • Three counts of Attempted Murder 1st Degree
  • Three counts of Conspiracy 1st Degree
  • Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
  • Six counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
  • Two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
  • Illegal Gang Participation

The reindictment is the latest in a series of advances secured by prosecutors and Wilmington police since a massive opening indictment against NorthPak was announced in June 2021. Prosecutors in March secured 40 convictions, including multiple murder charges, against NorthPak defendants Elijah Coffield and Greg Wing. Nine other defendants — Isaiah Lecompte, Markevis Clark, Zymir Hynson, DeShonne Moore, Khalil Rodriguez Fitzgerald, Malik Benson, Rashawn George, Dion Young, and Markell Richards — have pleaded guilty to other offenses.

Deputy Attorneys General Erika Flaschner, Joe Grubb, and A.J. Hill have led this case for the DOJ, with support from DOJ Criminal Intelligence Analyst/Investigator Dan Masi, DOJ Paralegals Julia Bacon and Sarah Molaski, DOJ Social Workers Crystal Pitts and Donna Lindsey, and DOJ Investigator Thomas Dempsey. Detective Justin Kane and Detective Sergeant Tom Curley of the Wilmington Police Department have led the ongoing investigation into NorthPak.

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DOJ, WPD Secure New Felony Charges in NorthPak Re-indictment

Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, June 13, 2023


Navy blue background featuring the Delaware state seal in the center

The Department of Justice has secured two additional felony charges in its case against the violent gang NorthPak as a result of the ongoing investigation led by Wilmington Police Department.

“This investigation never stops running,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These charges are a reflection of the dogged determination of Wilmington PD and our prosecutors, who have already secured more than 100 charges — and decades of prison sentences — against one of Wilmington’s most violent gangs. This investigation, and others like it, help explain how Wilmington and Delaware as a whole have outpaced national reductions in gun violence since 2020. I’m grateful for our teams’ tireless work to hold these defendants accountable and to continue to reduce gun violence in our community.”

“The new and upgraded charges against this defendant demonstrate our continued commitment to this investigation – and the unyielding efforts of our department and our partners to hold these offenders accountable for their crimes,” said Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. “I hope these charges help bring a measure of comfort to the community, and send a strong message that those responsible for gun violence in our community will be held accountable.”

The re-indictment charges defendant J’Shawn Edwards, 20, with Attempted Murder 1st Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, both in connection with a September 24, 2020 shooting. The full list of charges against Edwards is:

  • Murder 1st Degree
  • Three counts of Attempted Murder 1st Degree
  • Three counts of Conspiracy 1st Degree
  • Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
  • Six counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
  • Two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
  • Illegal Gang Participation

The reindictment is the latest in a series of advances secured by prosecutors and Wilmington police since a massive opening indictment against NorthPak was announced in June 2021. Prosecutors in March secured 40 convictions, including multiple murder charges, against NorthPak defendants Elijah Coffield and Greg Wing. Nine other defendants — Isaiah Lecompte, Markevis Clark, Zymir Hynson, DeShonne Moore, Khalil Rodriguez Fitzgerald, Malik Benson, Rashawn George, Dion Young, and Markell Richards — have pleaded guilty to other offenses.

Deputy Attorneys General Erika Flaschner, Joe Grubb, and A.J. Hill have led this case for the DOJ, with support from DOJ Criminal Intelligence Analyst/Investigator Dan Masi, DOJ Paralegals Julia Bacon and Sarah Molaski, DOJ Social Workers Crystal Pitts and Donna Lindsey, and DOJ Investigator Thomas Dempsey. Detective Justin Kane and Detective Sergeant Tom Curley of the Wilmington Police Department have led the ongoing investigation into NorthPak.

image_printPrint


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.