By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Wednesday, October 23, Joseph Feliciano, 22, from Atlantic City, pleaded guilty to three separate cases before the Honorable Pamela D’Arcy, J.S.C.
Feliciano’s guilty pleas call for concurrent four-year New Jersey State Prison sentences, officials say. 
According to Atlantic County officials, Feliciano pleaded guilty to third-degree Eluding in two cases and third-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance in the other.
County officials said that on January 22, 2024, at 6:55 p.m., Atlantic City Police officers observed a vehicle approaching a red light at Pennsylvania and Caspian Avenues and then driving through the intersection.
The vehicle began speeding well over the posted speed limit and was also reported stolen, County officials stated. Officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop.
As officers exited their vehicle, the vehicle began to drive off and headed outbound on Route 30. Officers attempted to catch up with the vehicle. However, the driver of the vehicle refused to stop, began to travel at an extremely high rate of speed, and began passing numerous vehicles at an estimated speed of over 100 m.p.h., Atlantic City Police said.
It was last observed traveling outbound on Route 30, running through red lights, officials say. On January 29, 2024, Pleasantville police had the suspect vehicle stopped in Pleasantville.
Atlantic City police arrived on the scene and immediately identified the male they had stopped, Joseph Feliciano, as the individual who had eluded officers a week earlier. Feliciano was advised he was under arrest and taken into custody. Feliciano acknowledged he eluded police the week prior.
According to Atlantic Cty authorities, on February 18, 2024, members of the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Crime Suppression South Unit, the NJSP Gangs & Organized Crime South Unit, the NJSP Metro South Unit, and the Pleasantville Police Department conducted a crime suppression detail within the city limits of Pleasantville.
During this detail, surveillance members identified narcotics-related activity in the area of Kings Food Store, located at 1037 N. Main Street, Pleasantville, officials stated. The occupants of a tinted black Honda bearing New Jersey registration were observed conducting a CDS sale from the passenger side of this vehicle.
The vehicle was later stopped and Joseph Feliciano was a passenger, County officials said.
Atlantic City police stated that a search of the vehicle yielded crack cocaine and a black digital scale. Feliciano was found to be in possession of $2,086.00.
During his plea, Felicano admitted the cocaine was his, and he had the intent to distribute it. On March 29, 2024, Atlantic City police attempted to stop a vehicle driven by the defendant after observing several traffic violations, according to Atlantic County officials.
Feliciano then continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed through Atlantic City and onto the Atlantic City Expressway towards Pleasantville, officials say.
Feliciano admitted to eluding the police during his guilty plea, County authorities said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2025.