By: Yuritza Arroyo
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Monday, April 24, Jalen Torres, 20, of Galloway Township, pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and trespassing.
According to officials, under the terms of the plea agreement, Torres is expected to be sentenced to an aggregate term of five- years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to 42 months of parole ineligibility under the Graves Act. Torres is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5.
Officials said on July 21, 2022, law enforcement officers from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and the Galloway Township Police Department planned to execute a search warrant on Torres’ townhome.
Prior to the execution of the warrant, officers saw Torres and apprehended him after a brief foot pursuit.
According to authorities, Torres was found to be in possession of a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun, which was loaded and concealed in his sock area. Following the apprehension of Torres, officers searched his townhome, where they located three large-capacity ammunition magazines and numerous rounds of hollow point ammunition.
Torres did not have a permit to purchase a handgun or a permit to carry a handgun.
Torres also pleaded guilty to trespassing.
He was observed rummaging through a parked vehicle in July 2021.
