NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey men have been charged with possessing with intent to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 35, of Newark, and Hector Martinez, 31, of North Bergen, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Gonzalez is also charged with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of three firearms and ammunition. They had their initial appearances by videoconference on Dec. 20, 2022, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen and were both detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Dec. 19, 2022, Gonzalez and Martinez conspired to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl and were arrested shortly after they arrived at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to complete the sale. After their arrests, a search of Gonzalez’s home and an apartment also uncovered two loaded firearms, an unloaded firearm, ammunition, drug packaging materials, and suspected heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and Xanax pills. Gonzalez had previously been convicted, in New Jersey Superior Court, Morris County, of first-degree drug distribution, second degree weapons possession during a controlled substance offense, and second degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and was sentenced in 2009 to 30 years in prison.
The count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison, and fine of up to $5 million. The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and officers with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked Newark Police Department for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Camila A. Garces of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.