NEWARK—Aaron T. Ford, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Newark Field Office; William Fraher, the Acting Chief of Police of the Paterson Police Department; and Gary F. Giardina, the Chief of Police of the Clifton Police Department, announced today the arrest of Hakim Lowery, 35, a fugitive and alleged ranking member of the Fruit Town Brims set of the Bloods street gang operating in Passaic County, principally in the town of Paterson, New Jersey.
Lowery is one of 28 members and associates of the Paterson Bloods named in a superseding indictment superseding indictment charges Lowery and others with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, “crack” cocaine, and powder cocaine. Three of the defendants were also charged with brandishing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activity and with being felons unlawfully in possession of firearms.
A number of the defendants were arrested in a weekend sweep in Paterson. As of Monday, Lowery was the only defendant who remained at large. The FBI, Paterson Police Department, and Clifton Police Departments continued their investigation and were able to locate and arrest Lowery on Tuesday evening in Paterson, New Jersey.
The charges contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Monday, September 30, 2013
New Jersey Leaders and Members of Violent, International Street Gang Indicted in Racketeering Conspiracy
NEWARK, NJ—Three former leaders of a New Jersey branch of the violent international street gang La Mara Salvatrucha—including the branch’s founding member—are charged with racketeering and murder in an indictment that also charges 11 other alleged members of the gang with related crimes, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman of the District of New Jersey announced today.
Santos Reyes-Villatoro, a/k/a “Mousey,” allegedly founded the Plainfield Locos Salvatruchas (PLS)—a subset or “clique”—of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, in the 1990s and served as its leader until his arrest in 2009 for attempted murder. Two other former leaders of the local PLS clique, Mario Oliva, a/k/a “Zorro,” and Roberto Contreras, a/k/a “Demonio,” are also charged in a 26-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury.
In all, the indictment charges 14 alleged members of the gang with racketeering conspiracy and a host of other violent crimes.
“The indictment describes an extraordinarily dangerous criminal enterprise whose entire reason for being revolves around imposing its leaders’ will through violence and intimidation,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said. “They have inflicted on the people of Plainfield and surrounding areas a reign of terror, backed up by physical assaults and murders. No community should have to endure such lawlessness.”
“The brazenness of the conduct charged in today’s indictment is deeply troubling,” Acting Union County, New Jersey Prosecutor Grace H. Park said. “The defendants allegedly showed no reluctance to react to perceived or real slights with immediate and reckless violence—and when they were caught, they plotted to retaliate against those who they believed to be responsible. Combatting gang-related crimes in Plainfield and all of our communities is one of the top priorities of this office, and it is reflected in today’s charges against the leaders of a particularly violent criminal enterprise.”
The federal indictment, which charges members of PLS with a racketeering conspiracy, four murders, multiple conspiracies to commit murder, extortion, robbery, and a variety of other crimes, is the culmination of a three-year investigation that started in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and expanded to include other local, state, and federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. Among those named in the indictment are individuals who were arrested and charged with state crimes in the summer of 2011. Today’s indictment incorporates many of the acts charged at the state level and adds additional criminal activity uncovered during the subsequent investigation.
All but one of the defendants are currently in custody; Walter Yovany-Gomez remains at large. Those in custody are scheduled to make their initial appearances later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court.
According to the indictment:
The PLS clique was founded in the mid-1990s by Reyes-Villatoro and operated in New Jersey in Union, Somerset, and Middlesex Counties. Reyes-Villatoro served as “first word,” or leader, of the group until he was arrested in 2009 and charged with attempted murder. The first word is responsible for “greenlighting,” or authorizing, all murders committed by members of the clique.
Reyes-Villatoro relinquished the position to his “second word,” or deputy, Oliva, who held the position until he allegedly murdered a member of MS-13 in February 2010 and fled New Jersey. Contreras then took over. He is implicated in the sexual assault with Oliva of two underage girls.
The indictment charges numerous violent acts committed by PLS members as part of the racketeering conspiracy, some of which targeted members of rival gangs, such as the Latin Kings and the 18th Street gang, and some of which targeted MS-13 members perceived as being disloyal.
Among the charges are four gang-related murders:
“Today’s indictment is the result of a long-term, multi-agency investigation,” Aaron T. Ford, FBI Special Agent in Charge in Newark, said. “Dedicated personnel from agencies at all levels of government worked in unison to combat this dangerous and violent criminal enterprise. This cooperation is, and will continue to be, a critical factor for successfully defending threats that endanger the citizens of New Jersey.”
In 2011, law enforcement arrested a number of PLS members in Plainfield. While detained at the Union County Jail, PLS members plotted to retaliate against those they believed were responsible for their arrest, including witnesses, law enforcement, and fellow gang members they suspected were cooperating with the government. PLS members allegedly sought revenge against a Plainfield detective involved in the case by planning to firebomb the residence of the detective’s mother.
Six defendants—Reyes-Villatoro, Oliva, Julian Moz-Aguilar, Hugo Palencia, Cruz Flores, and Walter Yovany-Gomez—are charged with murder in aid of racketeering, which is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The charge is a death penalty-eligible offense subject to a decision by the U.S. Attorney General.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of ICE-HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge McLees, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ford. Fishman specifically thanked the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Park, for long, close collaboration on the case. He also thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano; and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey, for their roles. He also acknowledged the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of Maryland for their assistance in the ongoing investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James M. Donnelly and Andrew J. Bruck of the U.S Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Santos Reyes-Villatoro, a/k/a “Mousey,” allegedly founded the Plainfield Locos Salvatruchas (PLS)—a subset or “clique”—of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, in the 1990s and served as its leader until his arrest in 2009 for attempted murder. Two other former leaders of the local PLS clique, Mario Oliva, a/k/a “Zorro,” and Roberto Contreras, a/k/a “Demonio,” are also charged in a 26-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury.
In all, the indictment charges 14 alleged members of the gang with racketeering conspiracy and a host of other violent crimes.
“The indictment describes an extraordinarily dangerous criminal enterprise whose entire reason for being revolves around imposing its leaders’ will through violence and intimidation,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said. “They have inflicted on the people of Plainfield and surrounding areas a reign of terror, backed up by physical assaults and murders. No community should have to endure such lawlessness.”
“The brazenness of the conduct charged in today’s indictment is deeply troubling,” Acting Union County, New Jersey Prosecutor Grace H. Park said. “The defendants allegedly showed no reluctance to react to perceived or real slights with immediate and reckless violence—and when they were caught, they plotted to retaliate against those who they believed to be responsible. Combatting gang-related crimes in Plainfield and all of our communities is one of the top priorities of this office, and it is reflected in today’s charges against the leaders of a particularly violent criminal enterprise.”
The federal indictment, which charges members of PLS with a racketeering conspiracy, four murders, multiple conspiracies to commit murder, extortion, robbery, and a variety of other crimes, is the culmination of a three-year investigation that started in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and expanded to include other local, state, and federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. Among those named in the indictment are individuals who were arrested and charged with state crimes in the summer of 2011. Today’s indictment incorporates many of the acts charged at the state level and adds additional criminal activity uncovered during the subsequent investigation.
All but one of the defendants are currently in custody; Walter Yovany-Gomez remains at large. Those in custody are scheduled to make their initial appearances later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court.
According to the indictment:
The PLS clique was founded in the mid-1990s by Reyes-Villatoro and operated in New Jersey in Union, Somerset, and Middlesex Counties. Reyes-Villatoro served as “first word,” or leader, of the group until he was arrested in 2009 and charged with attempted murder. The first word is responsible for “greenlighting,” or authorizing, all murders committed by members of the clique.
Reyes-Villatoro relinquished the position to his “second word,” or deputy, Oliva, who held the position until he allegedly murdered a member of MS-13 in February 2010 and fled New Jersey. Contreras then took over. He is implicated in the sexual assault with Oliva of two underage girls.
The indictment charges numerous violent acts committed by PLS members as part of the racketeering conspiracy, some of which targeted members of rival gangs, such as the Latin Kings and the 18th Street gang, and some of which targeted MS-13 members perceived as being disloyal.
Among the charges are four gang-related murders:
- February 8, 2009, Julian Moz-Aguilar, a/k/a “Humilde,” allegedly murdered a Latin King (described in the indictment as Victim 5) at Reyes-Villatoro’s instruction;
- February 27, 2010, Oliva and another MS-13 member allegedly murdered a member of MS-13 (Victim 10) who had been previously “greenlighted” by Oliva;
- November 11, 2010, Hugo Palencia, a/k/a “Taliban,” allegedly instructed another MS-13 member to fire a gun at a rival gang member, which resulted in the death of another individual (Victim 11) near a high school in Plainfield, New Jersey; and
- May 8, 2011, Cruz Flores, a/k/a “Bruja,” and Walter Yovany-Gomez, a/k/a “Cholo,” allegedly murdered an individual (Victim 15) because they believed the person was associating with the rival 18th Street gang.
“Today’s indictment is the result of a long-term, multi-agency investigation,” Aaron T. Ford, FBI Special Agent in Charge in Newark, said. “Dedicated personnel from agencies at all levels of government worked in unison to combat this dangerous and violent criminal enterprise. This cooperation is, and will continue to be, a critical factor for successfully defending threats that endanger the citizens of New Jersey.”
In 2011, law enforcement arrested a number of PLS members in Plainfield. While detained at the Union County Jail, PLS members plotted to retaliate against those they believed were responsible for their arrest, including witnesses, law enforcement, and fellow gang members they suspected were cooperating with the government. PLS members allegedly sought revenge against a Plainfield detective involved in the case by planning to firebomb the residence of the detective’s mother.
Six defendants—Reyes-Villatoro, Oliva, Julian Moz-Aguilar, Hugo Palencia, Cruz Flores, and Walter Yovany-Gomez—are charged with murder in aid of racketeering, which is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The charge is a death penalty-eligible offense subject to a decision by the U.S. Attorney General.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of ICE-HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge McLees, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ford. Fishman specifically thanked the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Park, for long, close collaboration on the case. He also thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano; and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey, for their roles. He also acknowledged the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of Maryland for their assistance in the ongoing investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James M. Donnelly and Andrew J. Bruck of the U.S Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Essex County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Illegal Weapons Dealing
NEWARK, NJ—An Essex County, New Jersey man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for weapons charges in connection with a year-long investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force that led to the confiscation of 45 guns from the streets of Newark, East Orange, and Irvington, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced today.
Randy Andrew, 36, of Irvington, New Jersey, was previously convicted by a federal jury of one count each of trafficking firearms and conspiracy to traffic firearms and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The jury returned a verdict after a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge William Walls in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
Andrew and seven others (all of whom have since pleaded guilty) were arrested in 2011 on charges of trafficking in firearms without a license. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force led an operation—for more than a year—to recover firearms in an effort to stem gun violence and take weapons off the streets of Newark and surrounding areas. Agents directed and supervised a sting operation using a confidential informant to purchase firearms from illegal gun brokers and dealers. The operation yielded 45 illicit firearms, including several assault rifles, machine pistols, shotguns, and semi-automatic handguns.
Andrew was selling firearms out of a laundromat in Irvington. On five separate occasions between May and July 2010, he met with the informant to discuss the purchase of assault weapons. On May 10 and 19 and June 9, 2010, Andrew sold firearms to the informant. On June 1 and July 12, 2010, he attempted to sell assault weapons to the informant, but his supplier could not provide the guns.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced Andrew to serve two years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited the FBI special agents and local detectives and investigators from the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, which operates under the direction of FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation. The Safe Streets Task Force is composed of the FBI; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office; the Essex County Corrections Department; and the Newark, East Orange, and Jersey City Police Departments.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam N. Subervi and Amy D. Luria of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.
Randy Andrew, 36, of Irvington, New Jersey, was previously convicted by a federal jury of one count each of trafficking firearms and conspiracy to traffic firearms and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The jury returned a verdict after a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge William Walls in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
Andrew and seven others (all of whom have since pleaded guilty) were arrested in 2011 on charges of trafficking in firearms without a license. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force led an operation—for more than a year—to recover firearms in an effort to stem gun violence and take weapons off the streets of Newark and surrounding areas. Agents directed and supervised a sting operation using a confidential informant to purchase firearms from illegal gun brokers and dealers. The operation yielded 45 illicit firearms, including several assault rifles, machine pistols, shotguns, and semi-automatic handguns.
Andrew was selling firearms out of a laundromat in Irvington. On five separate occasions between May and July 2010, he met with the informant to discuss the purchase of assault weapons. On May 10 and 19 and June 9, 2010, Andrew sold firearms to the informant. On June 1 and July 12, 2010, he attempted to sell assault weapons to the informant, but his supplier could not provide the guns.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced Andrew to serve two years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited the FBI special agents and local detectives and investigators from the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, which operates under the direction of FBI Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation. The Safe Streets Task Force is composed of the FBI; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office; the Essex County Corrections Department; and the Newark, East Orange, and Jersey City Police Departments.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam N. Subervi and Amy D. Luria of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Selling Thousands of Dollars Worth of Firearms to New Jersey Resident
NEWARK, NJ—A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 24
months in prison for illegally selling firearms and ammunition on
multiple occasions for thousands of dollars in cash, U.S. Attorney Paul
J. Fishman announced.
Eduardo Velasquez, 63, of Reading, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls to an information charging him with one count of illegally dealing in firearms. Judge Walls imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Velasquez admitted that he traveled from Pennsylvania to Jersey City, New Jersey, on five separate occasions, between July 5, 2012 and October 18, 2012, for the purpose of selling firearms. Velasquez sold 11 firearms to a New Jersey resident for more than $9,000. The firearms sold by Velasquez included: (1) two SKS 39mm rifles; (2) a Mossberg Model 88 shotgun; (3) a Winchester Model 1300 12-gauge shotgun; (4) a Mossberg Model 190 16-gauge shotgun; (5) a stolen Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun; (7) a Smith & Wesson .41 caliber revolver; (8) a Taurus PT917 9 mm semi-automatic pistol; (9) a Desert Eagle .44 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and (10) a Smith & Wesson SW99 .40 caliber handgun.
Velasquez sold multiple high-capacity magazines and more than 80 rounds of ammunition, including several hollow-point bullets. Velasquez indicated to the buyer that he often shipped firearms to the Dominican Republic and could procure additional long guns, such as double-barrel shotguns and military rifles.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced Velasquez to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, for the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Eduardo Velasquez, 63, of Reading, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls to an information charging him with one count of illegally dealing in firearms. Judge Walls imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Velasquez admitted that he traveled from Pennsylvania to Jersey City, New Jersey, on five separate occasions, between July 5, 2012 and October 18, 2012, for the purpose of selling firearms. Velasquez sold 11 firearms to a New Jersey resident for more than $9,000. The firearms sold by Velasquez included: (1) two SKS 39mm rifles; (2) a Mossberg Model 88 shotgun; (3) a Winchester Model 1300 12-gauge shotgun; (4) a Mossberg Model 190 16-gauge shotgun; (5) a stolen Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun; (7) a Smith & Wesson .41 caliber revolver; (8) a Taurus PT917 9 mm semi-automatic pistol; (9) a Desert Eagle .44 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and (10) a Smith & Wesson SW99 .40 caliber handgun.
Velasquez sold multiple high-capacity magazines and more than 80 rounds of ammunition, including several hollow-point bullets. Velasquez indicated to the buyer that he often shipped firearms to the Dominican Republic and could procure additional long guns, such as double-barrel shotguns and military rifles.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced Velasquez to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, for the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
South Carolina Man Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for Transporting Stolen Weapons into New Jersey
NEWARK, NJ—A South Carolina man was sentenced today to 75
months in prison for his role in transporting into New Jersey 22
firearms that were stolen from gun shops in Tennessee and North
Carolina, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Bassir Baxter, 40, of Columbia, South Carolina, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On March 7, 2012, Baxter; Cedric Reddick, 20; and, Reddick’s father, Bevan Holston, 41, of Columbia, South Carolina, drove from South Carolina to the apartment of Terrell James, 23, of Newark, to illegally sell firearms. All four were charged by complaint with transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce.
Baxter, Reddick, and Holston entered the apartment, where there were approximately 10 other individuals, and displayed firearms on the floor for the potential buyers. In total, 22 guns were recovered, including semi-automatic handguns and military-style assault rifles. Twenty had been stolen March 1, 2012, from a gun shop in Bristol, Tennessee. Two of the guns had been stolen February 16, 2012, from a gun shop in Boone, North Carolina. Police arrested James and Baxter inside the apartment. Reddick and Holston were arrested after jumping to a rooftop from the kitchen window. Holston was sentenced in May 2013 to 10 years in prison. James was sentenced last week to six months in prison. Reddick is scheduled to be sentenced July 23, 2013.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Baxter to two years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray; and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Samuel DeMaio and Police Chief Sheilah Coley, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
Bassir Baxter, 40, of Columbia, South Carolina, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On March 7, 2012, Baxter; Cedric Reddick, 20; and, Reddick’s father, Bevan Holston, 41, of Columbia, South Carolina, drove from South Carolina to the apartment of Terrell James, 23, of Newark, to illegally sell firearms. All four were charged by complaint with transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce.
Baxter, Reddick, and Holston entered the apartment, where there were approximately 10 other individuals, and displayed firearms on the floor for the potential buyers. In total, 22 guns were recovered, including semi-automatic handguns and military-style assault rifles. Twenty had been stolen March 1, 2012, from a gun shop in Bristol, Tennessee. Two of the guns had been stolen February 16, 2012, from a gun shop in Boone, North Carolina. Police arrested James and Baxter inside the apartment. Reddick and Holston were arrested after jumping to a rooftop from the kitchen window. Holston was sentenced in May 2013 to 10 years in prison. James was sentenced last week to six months in prison. Reddick is scheduled to be sentenced July 23, 2013.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Baxter to two years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray; and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Samuel DeMaio and Police Chief Sheilah Coley, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
South Carolina Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Transporting Stolen Weapons into New Jersey
NEWARK, NJ—A South Carolina man was sentenced today to
120 months in prison for his role in transporting into New Jersey 22
firearms that were stolen from gun shops in Tennessee and North
Carolina, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Bevan Holston, 41, of Columbia, South Carolina, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On March 7, 2012, Bassir Baxter, 40, of Columbia, South Carolina; Cedric Reddick, 20; and his father, Holston, allegedly drove from South Carolina to the apartment of Terrell James, 23, of Newark, to illegally sell the firearms. All four were charged by complaint with transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce.
The four men allegedly entered the apartment, where there were approximately 10 other individuals, and displayed firearms on the floor for the potential buyers. In total, 22 guns were recovered, including semi-automatic handguns and military-style assault rifles. Twenty had been stolen March 1, 2012, from a gun shop in Bristol, Tennessee. Two of the guns had been stolen February 16, 2012, from a gun shop in Boone, North Carolina. Police arrested James and Baxter inside the apartment. Reddick and Holston were arrested after jumping to a rooftop from the kitchen window.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Holston to three years of supervised release. The other three defendants are awaiting sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray; and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Samuel DeMaio and Police Chief Sheilah Coley, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney José R. Almonte of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Narcotics/OCDETF Unit.
Bevan Holston, 41, of Columbia, South Carolina, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On March 7, 2012, Bassir Baxter, 40, of Columbia, South Carolina; Cedric Reddick, 20; and his father, Holston, allegedly drove from South Carolina to the apartment of Terrell James, 23, of Newark, to illegally sell the firearms. All four were charged by complaint with transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce.
The four men allegedly entered the apartment, where there were approximately 10 other individuals, and displayed firearms on the floor for the potential buyers. In total, 22 guns were recovered, including semi-automatic handguns and military-style assault rifles. Twenty had been stolen March 1, 2012, from a gun shop in Bristol, Tennessee. Two of the guns had been stolen February 16, 2012, from a gun shop in Boone, North Carolina. Police arrested James and Baxter inside the apartment. Reddick and Holston were arrested after jumping to a rooftop from the kitchen window.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Holston to three years of supervised release. The other three defendants are awaiting sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray; and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Samuel DeMaio and Police Chief Sheilah Coley, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney José R. Almonte of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Narcotics/OCDETF Unit.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Weapons Offenses
Gun charges are serious criminal charges under New Jersey law. A weapons
conviction on your record can make it hard to find employment and even
hard to find a place to live. When up against charges like this, you
need a defense attorney committed to your cause.
While the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution guarantees our right to bear arms, New Jersey and other states across the country reserve the right to regulate this. This means everything from what weapon you own to how you use it is controlled by state laws.
It isn’t difficult to break a gun law when you own a firearm. There are many ways to get yourself into trouble with a weapon and facing criminal charges as a result is an extremely stressful thing.
Prohibited Weapons in New Jersey
There are some weapons you just simple can’t own. If caught in possession of any of the weapons listed here you could face charges just for having them.
If the weapon in your case is a firearm, the possession of weapons for unlawful purposes charge is a crime in the 2nd degree which carries a potential 10 years in prison.
This charge is not the same as having an unregistered weapon. For charges like that, see the criminal offense below.
Unlawful Possession of Weapons – NJ Laws & Penalties
This charge refers to possessing a weapon when the proper permits are
not in order, and/or without legal authorization to possess, own or
carry a weapon. If you are caught with a firearm and are not registered
to have it, you could face this charge. This is one of the most common
firearms offenses under New Jersey law.
If the weapon is a handgun, the offense is a crime of the 2nd degree carrying up to 10 years in prison. If, however, it is a rifle or shotgun, the charge is a crime of the 3rd degree and carries up to 5 years behind bars.
While the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution guarantees our right to bear arms, New Jersey and other states across the country reserve the right to regulate this. This means everything from what weapon you own to how you use it is controlled by state laws.
It isn’t difficult to break a gun law when you own a firearm. There are many ways to get yourself into trouble with a weapon and facing criminal charges as a result is an extremely stressful thing.
Prohibited Weapons in New Jersey
There are some weapons you just simple can’t own. If caught in possession of any of the weapons listed here you could face charges just for having them.
- Sawed off shotgun
- Silencers
- Defaced firearms
- Destructive devices (explosives, etc.)
- Body armor penetrating bullets,
- Daggers, switchblades, and stilettos
Ref: NJ. Stat. § 2C:39-3
Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes – NJ Laws & Penalties
This law is written in such a way that it can be applied to many situations, and charged accordingly. You cannot be found in possession of a weapon when the intended purpose is unlawful or to cause injury to someone. This means you can face this charge without even using the weapon.If the weapon in your case is a firearm, the possession of weapons for unlawful purposes charge is a crime in the 2nd degree which carries a potential 10 years in prison.
This charge is not the same as having an unregistered weapon. For charges like that, see the criminal offense below.
Ref: NJ. Stat. §2C:39-4
Unlawful Possession of Weapons – NJ Laws & Penalties
This charge refers to possessing a weapon when the proper permits are
not in order, and/or without legal authorization to possess, own or
carry a weapon. If you are caught with a firearm and are not registered
to have it, you could face this charge. This is one of the most common
firearms offenses under New Jersey law.If the weapon is a handgun, the offense is a crime of the 2nd degree carrying up to 10 years in prison. If, however, it is a rifle or shotgun, the charge is a crime of the 3rd degree and carries up to 5 years behind bars.
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