Over 80 convictions, including 5 murders solved over the last 2 years

The Department of Justice has secured 10 new felony convictions—including multiple murder and gun charges— in its long-running case against members of the violent Wilmington-area gang NorthPak, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday.

“Our trial team and our partners in Wilmington PD and New Castle County PD continue to rack up serious convictions against NorthPak, a major reason why crime is down,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Violent gangs have been a plague on our city, and they must be held accountable for the lives they’ve taken and the violence they’ve caused. We’re proud of the victories that our team has already won — but we are not slowing down. Holding violent gangs accountable is central to an anti-gun violence strategy that has already slashed shootings in the City by one-third. We’re not letting up.”

“These latest sentencings demonstrate that the NorthPak indictment is part of a continuing effort to hold violent offenders accountable in Wilmington,” said Wilmington Police Major Anthony Bowers, who oversees Investigative Operations. “We hope this will send a clear message that we will remain relentless in our efforts to make our community safer and further reduce gun violence.”

“I would like to commend the Criminal Investigations Unit and the collaborating agencies for their diligence, professionalism, and tireless efforts put forth during this investigation,” said Colonel Joseph Bloch, Chief of New Castle County Police “These Investigators worked to gather evidence, secure multiple convictions, and bring justice and closure to those affected by this tragic incident.”

NorthPak members Jacari Robinson and Julius Smith, Jr. pleaded guilty Monday to the following felonies in connection with the murder of Dakevis Reed and other offenses:

Jacari Robinson:

• Murder 2^nd Degree
• Two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Assault 2^nd Degree
• Illegal Gang Participation

Julius Smith, Jr.:

• Murder 2^nd Degree
• Assault 1^st Degree
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Conspiracy 1^st Degree
• Illegal Gang Participation

Robinson will serve a total of 22 years in prison, followed by probation; Smith will serve a total of 20 years in prison, followed by probation. Both sentences include an additional 63 years of suspended prison time for each defendant, which the Court may impose should they violate the law during their probation.

The convictions are the latest in a series of advances secured by prosecutors and 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.