Bayonne man known as ‘famous richard’ indicted for firearm possession
Photo 61814404 © Jiri Hera | Dreamstime.com

Bayonne man known as ‘Famous Richard’ indicted for firearm possession

Posted by
1 min read
January 10, 2025

NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County man with a prior felony conviction was indicted Thursday for possessing a firearm and an extended magazine, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

Richard Sharp, 25, of Bayonne, N.J., who is known on social media as “Famous Richard,” was charged with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He was arrested earlier in the day and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court, where he was ordered detained.

Authorities allege that on July 4, 2024, Sharp brandished a firearm with an extended magazine during an altercation at a Bayonne gas station and threatened to shoot bystanders. Days later, Sharp posted a video on social media of himself dancing while holding the same weapon.

On July 12, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sharp’s home and vehicle, recovering a loaded Beretta M9 semi-automatic handgun with a defaced serial number and an extended magazine holding approximately 24 rounds of ammunition.

If convicted, Sharp faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense.

The indictment highlights ongoing efforts to prosecute felons illegally in possession of firearms.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version