NEWARK, N.J. — A Newark man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee, along with federal firearms and drug trafficking offenses, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Troy D. Corbett Jr., 29, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi. He admitted to one count each of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The charges relate to a November 2023 robbery in Newark where Corbett and three other individuals held a postal worker at gunpoint. The suspects stole the victim’s phone, keys, wallet, credit card, and debit card. The act disrupted the delivery of mail and affected interstate commerce, according to court documents.
Following the robbery, Corbett attempted to use the stolen credit and debit cards to make unauthorized purchases. He was later found in possession of a privately made 9mm pistol with no serial number and 16 rounds of ammunition, both of which were manufactured outside New Jersey.
Authorities also discovered approximately 162 methamphetamine pills on Corbett, which he intended to distribute. At the time, Corbett was a convicted felon, barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Potential sentencing and penalties
Sentencing is scheduled for October 8 before Judge Cecchi. The robbery conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possessing ammunition as a convicted felon carries up to 15 years in prison and the same fine.
The drug trafficking charge carries a maximum 20-year sentence and up to a $1 million fine. The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, to be served consecutively with any other sentence, and a potential maximum of life in prison.
“The robbery impeded the victim from delivering mail, which interfered with interstate commerce,” court documents stated.
Corbett was previously convicted of a felony in 2018.
