A Newark man was convicted today on weapons and drug charges, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Federal officials said Teriek Edwards, 44, of Newark, was convicted on two counts of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon; one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of his possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone, following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On May 25, 2018, members of the East Orange Police Department attempted to stop Edwards as part of an ongoing investigation.
Upon being approached by law enforcement officers, Edwards fled, and a struggle ensued. Edwards was arrested, and law enforcement officers recovered heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and other illegal narcotics from his pants pockets, as well as a 9mm firearm loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition.
A federal complaint was filed against Edwards, and a federal arrest warrant was issued.
On August 22, 2018, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Edwards on that federal arrest warrant, at which time they recovered a second handgun – a 9mm firearm loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.
The possession of a firearm charges each carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
The drug trafficking charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million.
The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2022.