NEWARK, N.J. – The U.S. District Court Judge in Newark sentenced William Murphy, a 45-year-old resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey, sentenced to 61 months in prison. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and follows Murphy’s previous guilty plea.
He was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illicit drug trafficking, and intent to distribute controlled substances.
Murphy had been a previously convicted felon, and law enforcement agents found several illegal items at his residence on July 30, 2020. The search warrant execution led to the discovery of oxycodone pills, bagged mixtures of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, a digital scale, a money counter, numerous empty vacuum sealed bags, and around $13,000 in cash. Additionally, a 9mm Taurus handgun with ammunition and a box containing 50 more rounds were found.
This case also highlighted Murphy’s use of firearms for his drug trafficking operations. Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, overseeing this case, issued the prison term sentence on Thursday. Murphy is also expected to serve a supervised release for three years following the completion of his prison term.
The successful operation was the combined effort of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, headed by Special Agent Bryan Miller, and the Elizabeth Police Department under Chief Giacommo Sacca. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dong Joo Lee and Vince D. Romano represented the government in this case.
