NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man was sentenced today to 40 months in prison for distributing large quantities of heroin in and around downtown Newark, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced today. Jarez Baron a/k/a “Little Bro,” 28, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares to a superseding information charging him with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Judge Linares imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Between February 2013 and Aug. 7, 2013, Baron conspired with others to distribute large quantities of heroin and oxycodone out of a downtown Newark clothing store called Ballas Boutique.

Baron and others sold drugs out of this location to a confidential source more than 35 times.

The majority of the sales were audio and video recorded. Law enforcement intercepted conversations of Baron and his conspirators pursuant to court orders.

The intercepted conversations revealed that Baron and other employees sold drugs for Lamont Vaughn, 33, of Newark, at Ballas Boutique.

On Aug. 7, 2013, law enforcement officers executed arrest and search warrants at Ballas Boutique and at Vaughn and Baron’s home in Newark. Among the items recovered were dozens of oxycodone pills, two firearms, and a large amount of cash.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Linares sentenced Baron to three years of supervised release.

Vaughn pleaded guilty on June 22, 2016, to conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and oxycodone and to being a felon in possession of two firearms. He was sentenced Oct. 5, 2016, to 65 months in prison.

Another co-defendant, Felicia Holt, 30, of Newark, pleaded guilty on March 11, 2014, to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced Nov. 17, 2016, to 45 months in prison. U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, as well as the N.J. State Police Street Gangs North Unit with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Special Litigation Counsel Margaret Ann Mahoney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Navarro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Baron: Frank P. Arleo Esq., West Orange, New Jersey Vaughn: pro se Holt: Joseph Rubino Esq., Union, New Jersey