NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was convicted today on weapons and drug charges, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Teriek Edwards, 44, of Newark, 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 possession of a firearm in furtherance of his possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone, following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On May 25, 2018, members of the East Orange Police Department attempted to stop Edwards as part of an ongoing investigation. Upon being approached by law enforcement officers, Edwards fled, and a struggle ensued. Edwards was arrested and law enforcement officers recovered heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and other illegal narcotics from his pants pockets, as well as a 9mm firearm loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. A federal complaint was filed against Edwards and a federal arrest warrant was issued.
On Aug. 22, 2018, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Edwards on that federal arrest warrant, at which time they recovered a second handgun – a 9mm firearm loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.
The possession of a firearm charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The drug trafficking charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; members of East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis Bindi; members of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Brian O’Hara; deputy marshals and task force officers with the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of New Jersey, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Agnew and Samantha C. Fasanello of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.