Dover Two-Time Federal Defendant Sentenced to Over 17 Years Imprisonment for Firearms and Drug Dealing Offenses

WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Malik Nasir, age 37, of Dover, Delaware, was sentenced on August 24, 2018 to 17 ½ years in federal prison for illegally possessing five (5) firearms after a prior federal and state drug and gun felony convictions.  Nasir was also found guilty of possession with intent to deliver $12,000 worth of marijuana seized from his storage unit in Dover and a related charge for maintaining that storage unit for the purpose of illegal drug distribution. 

Nasir was convicted following a two day federal jury trial in June 2017.  According to court documents and proof offered at trial, the Delaware State Police (“DSP”) obtained a search warrant for Nasir’s storage unit in Dover in December 2015, after DSP receiving numerous complaints regarding suspicious activity in and around the unit.  While officers were preparing to search, Nasir drove to the storage unit and was arrested there.

Arresting troopers located a duffel bag in Nasir’s car containing marijuana residue and a key to the storage unit.  Using the key, the troopers opened the storage unit and seized $12,000 worth of marijuana found inside.

When subsequently searching Nasir’s second car (a 2009 Dodge Charger), the troopers found and seized five handguns—four of which were loaded and one of which had been reported as stolen—and 223 rounds of ammunition.  Nasir was prohibited from possessing any firearms due to his prior state and federal felony convictions.

U.S. Attorney Weiss said, “The defendant’s decision to illegally possess multiple guns while engaging in the illicit drug trade represents a significant safety concern to the citizens of Delaware.  This prosecution serves notice of the effectiveness of federal and state law enforcement working together to protect this community and hold gun offenders accountable.”

Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division said, “Mr. Nasir was previously convicted for drug and gun crimes, and shows his continued disregard for both the law and the well-being of others by choosing to distribute drugs into Delaware communities, along with his illegal possession of firearms.  The investigative work done on this case by ATF Special Agents and our Delaware State Police partners, as well as prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, has undoubtedly made the citizens of Delaware safer.”

This case was investigated by the Delaware State Police and the ATF Baltimore Field Division, Wilmington Field Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Logan.