BREAKING: Mastermind Behind Newark Apartment Explosion Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison
Nearly two years after a devastating explosion tore through a Newark Housing Authority apartment complex, the man identified as the mastermind behind the blast has been sentenced to 35 years in state prison.
Deonte “D-Roc” Marcellus, 42, of Newark, was convicted earlier this year on charges of aggravated arson, conspiracy, and multiple counts of assault and reckless endangerment. Prosecutors said Marcellus orchestrated the gas-fueled explosion at Stephen Crane Village on July 21, 2023, in an alleged attempt to intimidate a former associate turned witness in an unrelated federal drug investigation.
The explosion destroyed part of a two-story building, injured six people—including a man who suffered life-threatening burns—and displaced more than 30 residents. Property damage was estimated at over $1.4 million.
Intentional Sabotage
Investigators from the Newark Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) found clear evidence of tampering with gas lines in the basement of the affected building. Security footage and witness testimony led detectives to Marcellus, who had been seen in the area hours before the blast.
According to Essex County prosecutors, Marcellus paid a maintenance subcontractor—since granted immunity in exchange for cooperation—to leave the gas valves unsecured following a staged renovation job. The gas buildup triggered an enormous explosion once a nearby stove was turned on.
“The defendant’s actions were calculated, callous, and nearly catastrophic,” said Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Diana Negrón. “This was not an accident. It was an attack on a community.”
Victims React to Sentencing
Several of the victims were present in court as the sentence was handed down. Tears flowed as one survivor, 29-year-old Alyssa Raymond, who was six months pregnant at the time of the explosion, addressed the court.
“You didn’t just blow up a building—you blew apart lives,” she said, facing Marcellus. “I lost everything that night. I still have nightmares.”
Judge’s Rebuke
Superior Court Judge Harold Brenner called the crime “one of the most heartless acts of domestic sabotage” he had seen in over two decades on the bench.
“You played with lives like they were pawns,” Brenner said sternly before delivering the maximum sentence allowed under state law.
Rebuilding and Reform
The Newark Housing Authority has since overhauled safety protocols and launched new training programs for maintenance staff. Meanwhile, the damaged portion of Stephen Crane Village has been rebuilt with upgraded fire suppression and gas detection systems.
Mayor Ras Baraka praised the sentencing in a statement Friday afternoon: “This sends a clear message—acts of terror against our community will not go unpunished.”
—
Marcellus will not be eligible for parole until 2052. A civil lawsuit filed by several displaced families is still pending in Essex County Superior Court.
