Union County Man Admits Possessing Loaded Handguns While Trafficking Narcotics

NEWARK, N.J. – A Union Township, New Jersey man admitted today to possessing two loaded handguns and large quantities of narcotics with the intent to distribute those narcotics, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Quadir Allen, 41, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court to all three counts of an indictment charging him with possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin, and possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In January 2018, officers with the Union Township Police Department obtained a warrant for Allen’s arrest after he fled from a motor vehicle stop. On January 31, 2018, officers located Allen and stopped the car in which he was driving. During the stop, officers observed a handgun on the front passenger’s seat, which they later determined was loaded with hollow-point ammunition. A search of Allen’s car revealed an additional handgun that was also loaded with hollow-point ammunition. Officers also located large quantities of heroin and cocaine, which were packaged for street-level distribution. Allen previously was convicted of aggravated manslaughter in Essex County Superior Court.

The possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon count carries a maximum penalty of ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The possession of heroin with intent to distribute count carries a minimum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of forty years’ imprisonment, and a $5,000,000 fine. The possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, which must run consecutively to any sentence imposed on the possession of heroin with intent to distribute count, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and officers with the Union Township Police Department with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Ferketic and Special Assistant United States Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Lorraine Gauli-Rufo, Esq.