By: Richard L. Smith
Three Jersey City men were charged by complaint with narcotics and firearms-related violations, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced today.
Federal officials said Shiquwan Johnson, aka “Big Shy,” 37, is charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Officials said Johnson is associated with a neighborhood street gang that operates around the Bergen Avenue/Lexington Avenue area in Jersey City.
According to federal authorities, Douglas Sherman, aka “Dougie,” 40, is charged with maintaining drug-involved premises.
Perry Capers, aka “Diddy,” 36, is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.
Officials said Capers is also associated with the neighborhood street gang in and around Bergen Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Jersey City.
All three defendants appeared on Feb. 16, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen. Johnson and Sherman consented to detention and Capers was released and placed on home incarceration.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Law enforcement officers began investigating an apartment building in January 2023 and observed numerous hand-to-hand drug transactions on a near-daily basis.
The investigation revealed multiple stash locations for narcotics and firearms in the building, including inside an apartment unit rented by Sherman, a pipe, and a mailbox associated with the apartment unit rented by Sherman.
While executing search warrants on Feb. 15, 2023, law enforcement officers recovered hundreds of grams of suspected cocaine and tens of grams of suspected heroin, three firearms, and additional ammunition.
Johnson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Sherman and Capers face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.