By: Tracie Carter
A Toms River man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for drug distribution and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to information released by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Masta Redding, 38, was handed a 151-month sentence on March 26 by U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court. In addition to his prison term, Redding will serve three years of supervised release and must forfeit the firearm and ammunition tied to the offense.
Redding had previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The charges stem from a March 5, 2020, incident in which Redding was found with cocaine both on his person and inside his home, which investigators say he intended to distribute.
During a search, authorities also recovered a loaded Jimenez Arms pistol.
Redding, already barred from owning firearms due to prior felony convictions, later admitted to trying to obstruct the investigation by paying someone to falsely claim ownership of the drugs and gun in a sworn affidavit.
The sentence marks the conclusion of a years-long case involving federal and local cooperation to curb illegal drug and firearm activity in Ocean County.