An Essex County man was indicted for possessing a semi-automatic rifle loaded with a high-capacity magazine, several rounds of ammunition, and a large quantity of oxycodone, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
According to federal officials, Shaquille Hankerson, aka “Jaquil L. Tukes,” 30, of Newark, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On September 22, 2020, law enforcement officers were conducting patrol when they observed Hankerson, who appeared to be sleeping in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle.
As the officers approached Hankerson, he jumped up in his seat and began shuffling around the front center area of the vehicle.
The officers then observed a prescription pill bottle with no label containing an unknown substance in the front center cup holder.
The officers searched the vehicle and recovered the following:
- One .223 caliber Bushmaster Carbon-15 semi-automatic rifle loaded with a high capacity magazine that contained 26 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition
- One magazine loaded with 10 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition
- 317 oxycodone pills
- One bag containing marijuana
The officers also recovered $542.75 from Hankerson.
The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. The count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison.
The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. Each firearm count carries a maximum fine of $250,000.