NEWARK, NJ — Raheem Johnson, 37, of Newark, was arrested and had his initial appearance in federal court on charges stemming from his arrest for narcotics trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm, acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced May 28.
Johnson, aka “Smoke,” is charged by complaint with two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Johnson appeared by videoconference on May 27 before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III and was detained without bail.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that in April and May 2021, Johnson distributed controlled substances, including cocaine base and heroin, around Hayes Street in Newark. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence and recovered a WASR-10 7.62×39 mm semiautomatic rifle; 20 rounds of 7.62×39 mm ammunition; and more than two dozen bricks, or 1,200 doses, of suspected heroin.
The drug possession counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The felon in possession of a firearm count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The possession of a firearm for use in a drug-trafficking crime count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence of imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proved guilty.
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