NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was charged for illegally possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug distribution, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
Jessie Mayfield, 59, of Paterson, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Mayfield will his initial appearance at a date to be determined.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Aug. 24, 2021, Mayfield was under parole supervision for a prior state conviction. On that day, state parole officers conducted a routine supervised visit at Mayfield’s residence and observed a large amount of cash in different denominations on Mayfield’s bed. They saw text messages referencing drug transactions on his cell phone. Upon obtaining a warrant, the officers searched Mayfield’s residence and recovered a clear Ziploc baggie containing 115 wax-folds, each with a powdery substance suspected to be a controlled substance, a bag containing numerous empty plastic vials, and a digital scale – which is commonly used to weigh controlled dangerous substances. The officers also found a notebook with dates and times of drug transactions written in them. The officers recovered a Ruger .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, along with a box containing 95 Winchester .22 caliber long rifle cartridges.
The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1 million. The count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. Each firearm count carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited the members of the New Jersey State Parole Board, under the direction of Chairman Samuel J. Plumeri Jr.; Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Director Jerry Speziale and Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora; and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews, Newark Field Division, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
DOJ Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
EOUSA/USAO Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Take The Right Prescription for New Jersey
Be Wary Of Scams In Which People Posing As Law Enforcement Officers Attempt To Solicit Funds.