The New Jersey attorney general recently announced that the alleged members of a gun trafficking ring were indicted. The alleged gun trafficking ring includes 15 members who transported guns from South Carolina to New Jersey. Law enforcement estimates that the trafficking ring members brought and transferred a total of 120 firearms.
Each of the group’s members will be charged with racketeering and conspiracy. Five of the group’s residents are from South Carolina, and the other nine are from Paterson, New Jersey. There is one group member still free that local police are hoping to find.
The crime ring involved securing weapons in South Carolina and then bringing them up to New Jersey to sell. The leader of the group is a 31-year-old resident of South Carolina who is being charged with leading a gun trafficking network and promoting organized street crime.
Local law enforcement had recovered around 12 of the transferred firearms, including some of the weapons the group’s leader had on him when he was arrested in late 2021. Police successfully arrested the group’s leader as he was coming into the state with a bus full of weapons. In addition to the sale of illegal firearms, members of the group are also being charged with the sale of high-capacity magazines and hollow-point bullets.
Some of the other guns have also been tracked down, as they were used in unrelated New Jersey crimes. Local police believe that the gun trafficking ring has been bringing illegal weapons into the state since late 2018. When the gun trafficking ring first caught the attention of local police enforcement, it was thought to only include three members. However, police have identified it to be a much bigger trafficking ring over the last few years. The New Jersey State Police are heading the investigation.
How is Gun Trafficking Charged in New Jersey?
Firearm and weapon trafficking in New Jersey can be charged as a first-degree crime. This could lead to required prison time and fines of up to $200,000. A New Jersey judge can also order a convicted offender to pay even more, up to $500,000 or five times the value of the weapons, whichever is greater.
Gun trafficking charges commonly lead to prison time. However, the consequences may extend long after you served your time. A first-degree gun trafficking charge can make it difficult to find employment or housing. It may even prevent a person from obtaining student loans. Even if charged as a second-degree crime, it could lead to anywhere between 5-10 years in prison.
Your Options When it Comes to Firearm Charges in New Jersey
The consequences of firearm ownership in New Jersey depend on the details of the crime. A person who is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm may not receive charges as severe as a person in charge of a gun trafficking ring. If you’re dealing with potential firearm charges, it’s crucial that you reach out to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Depending on the details of the charge, you may have legal defense options available to you.
Contact an Experienced Hamilton Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Firearm Possession Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with firearm possession in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at The Davis Law Firm, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with possession of firearms in Hamilton, Trenton, Ewing, Lawrence, and throughout New Jersey. Call (609) 498-7722 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
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