Convicted felon admits drug offenses, and possessing three firearms with extended magazines

NEWARK, NJ — A Bloomfield man admitted to possessing quantities of heroin and cocaine that he intended to distribute, and to possessing several firearms, including an AM-15 rifle, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced July 28. Cedric Lewis, 31, of Bloomfield, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to a superseding […]

Acting AG co-leads coalition backing ghost gun regulation

Acting AG co-leads coalition backing ghost gun regulation

TRENTON, NJ — On July 11, acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin co-led a group of 20 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting an important new federal rule regulating “ghost guns,” unserialized weapons that are often made at home from kits or partially complete frames and receivers that can be purchased without background […]

Glen Ridge church member, East Orange schools admin marches to end gun violence

Glen Ridge church member, East Orange schools admin marches to end gun violence

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Inspired by her pastor’s words following the May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 elementary school children and two teachers, a member of Christ Episcopal Church of Bloomfield and Glen Ridge took part in a March for Our Lives rally on June 11 to end gun violence.  Rhonda […]

NJ Senate approves seven key gun safety bills

TRENTON, NJ — The N.J. Senate approved seven key gun safety bills on June 29 with the aim to help prevent gun violence in New Jersey. Sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari, and Senators Joe Cryan, Richard Codey and Andrew Zwicker, the bills would prohibit .50-caliber rifles, crack down on ghost guns, strictly control the […]

Newark man sentenced to five years in prison for drug, firearm offenses

NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County man was sentenced on June 22 to five years in prison for his role in a fentanyl conspiracy, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Jaqua Clayton, aka “Quay,” 23, of Newark, previously pleaded guilty via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Madeline […]

Newark felon convicted on firearms, drug-trafficking charges

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man was convicted June 15 on weapons and drug charges, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Teriek Edwards, 44, was convicted on two counts of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon; one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and oxycodone; and one count of […]

West Orange police support National Gun Violence Awareness Day

West Orange police support National Gun Violence Awareness Day

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange Police Sgt. Brad Squires stands with Officers Bret Wagner, Herbert Granados and Frank Romayo in front of West Orange Town Hall in support of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The nationwide campaign ran from June 3 through 5 with hundreds of scheduled events in cities around the country. It […]

Officials, leaders in Essex County call for stricter gun laws following massacre

Officials, leaders in Essex County call for stricter gun laws following massacre

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The nation was again plunged into despair on May 24 when a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, injuring many others. This was the third-deadliest school shooting in a U.S. school, after the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 and the Sandy Hook Elementary […]