Four Charged Federally with Transporting Stolen Handguns and Assault Rifles into New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – Three South Carolina men and one Newark resident face federal charges for allegedly transporting 22 firearms into New Jersey that were recently stolen from gun shops in Tennessee and North Carolina, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Bassir Baxter, 39, Cedric Reddick, 19, and Reddick’s father, Bevan Holston, 40, all of Columbia, S.C.; and Terrell James, 22, of Newark, are charged by Complaint with one count of transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce. Baxter, Reddick and James are scheduled to make their initial appearances later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court before being returned to state custody on related charges. Holston was injured fleeing arrest and will appear when he is released from the hospital.

According to the Complaint:

On March 7, 2012, Holston, Reddick and Baxter were driving in a silver Ford Taurus with South Carolina license plates when they arrived at the Newark residence of James. He and the three men in the car together brought a large duffel bag, which appeared to be heavy, into James’ third- floor apartment. Newark police observing the location saw Holston and Reddick return to the car and unload a second large, heavy duffel bag and return to James' apartment. When the defendants noticed the police they fled into the apartment, where police saw numerous firearms displayed on the floor. In total, 22 guns were recovered, including semi-automatic handguns and assault rifles. Nineteen had been stolen March 1, 2012, from a gun shop in Bristol, Tenn. Two of the guns had been stolen Feb., 16, 2012, from a gun shop in Boone, N.C.

Police arrested James and Baxter inside the apartment. Reddick and Holston were arrested after jumping to a rooftop from the kitchen window.

The transporting firearms charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew W. Horace; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward 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 the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney José R. Almonte and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Constantine Soupios of the U.S. Attorney's Office General Crimes Unit.

The charge and allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

Defense counsel:

Bassir Baxter: Assistant Federal Public Defender John Yauch Esq., Newark

Cedric Reddick: Anna Cominsky Esq., Newark

Terrell James: Michael Calabro Esq, Newark