By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County reported that on Monday, September 11, Elijah Harris, 24, of Atlantic City, was sentenced on a charge of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun while being engaged in drug distribution conduct.
According to officials, under the terms of his plea agreement, Harris was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
Officials say Harris was arrested on Florida Avenue in Atlantic City.
During his guilty plea, authorities say, Harris admitted that he possessed a handgun in his backpack while possessing drugs with the intent to distribute them.
Harris’ co-defendant, Xavier Martin, was arrested as part of the same investigation, and he was previously sentenced to state prison on a separate handgun charge earlier this year, officials said.
The case was investigated by the Vice Unit of the Atlantic City Police and prosecuted by the Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, according to officials.