A Belleville man with a previous felony conviction was arrested Wednesday for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Federal officials sad Mr. Farrakhan Lovett, 24, Belleville is charged by complaint with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Lovett made his initial appearance today by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and was detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant on a vehicle that Lovett was observed driving in Belleville.
They found a Taurus model G3 9x19mm firearm loaded with 18 rounds in a high-capacity magazine.
Lovett was previously convicted of felonies in Essex County Superior Court.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon and ammunition carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.