Eight Defendants Sentenced in Major New Jersey Wiretap Investigation Targeting Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Illegal Firearms Trafficking Network

CAMDEN, N.J. — Federal authorities have announced the sentencing of all eight defendants charged in a large-scale narcotics and firearms trafficking investigation centered in Burlington County, New Jersey, following a lengthy federal wiretap operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across the state.

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer confirmed that the final defendant in the investigation, Mansfield Johnson, also known as “Money Mike,” 40, of Florence, New Jersey, was sentenced on May 28, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to 225 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Johnson previously pleaded guilty on September 22, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic firearms, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Federal prosecutors stated Johnson additionally admitted to distributing powder cocaine and crack cocaine as part of the trafficking conspiracy.

According to federal court documents and statements made during proceedings, the investigation targeted a narcotics distribution network operating between August 2023 and February 2024 involving fentanyl, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and illegal firearm trafficking activity throughout Burlington County and surrounding areas.

Federal investigators stated Johnson, Alteric Hines, Melody Stratton, and Shameke Fowler participated in illegal firearm trafficking operations that included the sale of a firearm to an undercover law enforcement agent during the investigation. Authorities further stated Johnson illegally possessed an additional firearm despite being prohibited from possessing weapons due to prior felony convictions.

Prosecutors also stated Johnson used threats of violence to protect narcotics trafficking operations connected to the conspiracy.

Federal authorities confirmed all eight defendants charged in the wiretap investigation have now been sentenced.

The defendants and sentences imposed by Judge Christine P. O’Hearn included:

• Mansfield Johnson, also known as “Money Mike,” 40 — sentenced to 225 months in prison and five years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic firearms, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

• Artus Johnson, also known as “Tru,” 42 — sentenced to 96 months in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

• Michael McCray, also known as “Gutter,” 43 — sentenced to 120 months in prison and four years supervised release after pleading guilty to three counts of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

• Shameke Fowler, also known as “Murder,” 37 — sentenced to 30 months in prison consecutive to a prior 12-month sentence for violating federal supervised release conditions, followed by three years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to traffic firearms.

• Jamhal Phillips, 28 — sentenced to 60 months in prison and five years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.

• Alteric Hines, 32 — sentenced to 46 months in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to traffic firearms and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

• Melody Stratton, 34 — sentenced to 36 months in prison and five years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to traffic firearms.

• Eddie Hutchinson, also known as “Bang,” 44 — sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Federal authorities stated Fowler had previously been convicted in an unrelated federal wiretap investigation involving conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Prosecutors stated his participation in the current conspiracy violated conditions tied to his prior federal supervised release.

Investigators stated the cases were developed through extensive court-authorized wiretap operations involving intercepted phone calls and text messages, confidential informants, controlled narcotics and firearm purchases, surveillance operations, and the execution of multiple search warrants.

Authorities recovered four firearms during the investigation.

Federal officials continue identifying fentanyl trafficking as one of the most dangerous narcotics threats facing communities nationwide due to the drug’s extreme potency and direct connection to overdose deaths. Multi-agency wiretap investigations have increasingly become a primary tool used by federal authorities to dismantle organized narcotics distribution networks operating across local and regional jurisdictions.

The investigation involved the FBI Newark Division’s Trenton Resident Agency under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Newark Field Division under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark under the direction of Field Office Director John Tsoukaris; New Jersey State Police under the direction of Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle; Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw; Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta Marbrey; and numerous local police departments throughout Burlington County and surrounding jurisdictions.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden prosecuted the case.

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey. Federal court records and superseding indictment filings.

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