An East Orange man has admitted conspiring to murder a federal witness to protect the drug trafficking organization he was a part of, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Ali Hill, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court.
Hill acknowledged in court Wednesday that the drug trafficking organization became aware of a member who was cooperating with federal authorities. He said he helped plan the murder of the man, who was shot to death as he walked his dog in Bloomfield in March 2018.
The plea agreement states that Hill agreed with other members that it was necessary to kill the informant “to maintain and increase his position in the [drug trafficking organization] and for pecuniary gain.”
Hill was arrested and charged in 2019 with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including murder in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
As part of Wednesday’s plea deal, the other charges will be dismissed.
Authorities maintain that Michael Healy, the drug organization’s alleged leader from Monclair, started a “large and sophisticated drug distribution organization” in Essex County after his release from a Maryland prison in 2012. The group allegedly transported significant amounts of narcotics from around the country and distributed cocaine, heroin, marijuana and fentanyl in and around Newark and throughout New Jersey.
Authorities also say the drug trafficking organization committed three murders.
In addition to the Bloomfield slaying, members are allegedly responsible for killing an innocent person they mistook for their intended target and another person members believed was cooperating with federal authorities.
Hill, who has been in custody since his 2019 arrest, is the first member of the group to plead guilty.
The others charged are Healy and Leevander Wade, Thomas Zimmerman and Tyquan Daniels, all of East Orange. All are being held pending the outcome of their cases.
Healy is the only defendant charged in all three murders. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
Hill is not cooperating with federal authorities prosecuting his co-conspirators, his attorney Gary Mizzone said. He faces 20 to 25 years in prison. His sentencing is set for Nov. 3.
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Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com
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