Jackson Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Murder, Attempted Murder of Gang Rivals

A leader of the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods criminal street gang was sentenced to 40 years in a New Jersey state prison Thursday on charges of murder, attempted murder, and racketeering in connection with more than a month-long spree of violence in 2006 that included a Long Branch homicide, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.


Valdo Thompson, 28, of Jackson will be required to serve 30 years in prison before he will become eligible for parole.


"Valdo Thompson was a violent cancer on society. We have ensured that he will remain safely behind bars," Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in the release.


On November 21, 2006, Thompson was involved in the double shooting of Michael Montgomery and Keith Logan on Hendrickson Street in Long Branch. Montgomery, a confirmed member of the Brick City Brims set of the Bloods street gang, died as a result of a single gunshot wound to his hip. The intended target of the shooting, Keith Logan, a confirmed member of the G-Shine set of the Bloods street gang, received a single gunshot wound to the abdomen but survived, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said. Thompson, Quemere McClendon and Carl Holdren all played a role in the double shooting.


The crimes were committed from just before Thanksgiving to the day prior to New Years Eve 2006, by Thompson and his associates: Zachery Butts, 28, of Freehold;  Paul Lewis, 25, of Long Branch; McClendon, 27, of Long Branch; Darnell Stovall, 26, of Long Branch; and Holdren, 25, of Lakewood.


All are serving jail sentences in connection with these crimes.


A cooperative investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, State Attorney General’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Long Branch Police Department and Lakewood Police Department led to the charges and indictment against all the defendants. McClendon, Stovall and Lewis were charged with the murder of Keith Mason on Dec. 12, 2006, in Long Branch.  McClendon, Holdren and Thompson were charged with the murder of Michael Montgomery and the attempted murder of Keith Logan in Long Branch on Nov. 21, 2006. Holdren and Thompson were also charged with conspiracy to commit and attempting to commit the murder of Michael Stallworth on Dec. 28, 2006 in Lakewood. Butts was charged with gun possession.  


In the Mason homicide, prosecutors said McClendon, Stovall and Lewis planned a home-invasion style armed robbery of Keith Mason who lived on Second Avenue in Long Branch. During the robbery, McClendon shot Keith Mason once in the chest in front of Mason’s young son. McClendon, Stovall and Lewis all fled the scene and left Mason dying on his kitchen floor. Mason’s small child, who was not physically injured during the crime, was left alone with his dying father, prosecutors said. The terms of the co-defendant’s plea agreements were reached after consultation with, and with the approval of, the families of the victims of the homicides.


Evidence presented during Holdren's trial revealed tensions between the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods criminal street gang and a rival set of the Bloods criminal street gang resulted in an attempt to kill Stallworth of Lakewood, on Dec. 28, 2006. As part of the investigation, New Jersey State Police learned of the impending murder through a court authorized electronic intercept and took action to stop the homicide. With the assistance of the Lakewood Police Department, a motor vehicle stop was conducted on Butts’ vehicle, and a loaded .45 caliber handgun was found inside. Butts was on his way to deliver the weapon to Holdren. Holdren was sentenced last week for the murder of Michael Montgomery and the attempt on Stallworth’s life as well as other charges.