By: Tracie Carter
Antoine Hawkins was sentenced to 144 months in prison for his involvement in two shootings, illegal possession of a handgun, and intent to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday.
Federal officials said Hawkins, 31, of Newark, had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to charges including two counts of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Judge Hayden handed down the sentence in Newark federal court.
The case details, as revealed through court documents and statements, depict a troubling series of events.
On August 18, 2020, video surveillance captured Hawkins firing a gun on a Newark street, striking a victim who survived.
Hawkins was also identified as the shooter in another Newark incident on August 13, 2020, with ballistics evidence linking cartridge casings from both scenes.
Law enforcement apprehended Hawkins on September 16, 2020, after observing a firearm in his jacket.
A search revealed a 9-millimeter pistol loaded with an extended magazine containing 19 rounds.
A subsequent search warrant executed at Hawkins's residence uncovered 626 glassine envelopes of heroin and three 9-millimeter magazines, among other items.
In addition to his prison term, Hawkins was sentenced to three years of supervised release, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and their impact on community safety.