Two New Jersey men today admitted their roles in a conspiracy to distribute 140 kilograms of narcotics in New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick announced.
Gemal Singleton, 27, of Edison, New Jersey, and Siddeeq Q. Williams, 39, of Cranford, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton federal court to separate informations charging them each with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and five kilograms of cocaine. Williams also pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting federal officers.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Singleton, Williams, and others arranged for cocaine and heroin to be shipped to New Jersey via tractor trailer. On Aug. 27, 2017, the tractor trailer arrived in New Jersey and law enforcement conducted a vehicle stop after the driver committed several traffic violations. A subsequent search of the tractor-trailer recovered five large duffle bags containing a total of 56 kilograms of heroin and 85 kilograms of cocaine. Singleton and Williams admitted that they were supposed to meet the tractor-trailer to collect the narcotics for eventual distribution.
According to authorities, on Aug. 30, 2017, law enforcement went to speak with Singleton and Williams. Williams admitted that when two law enforcement officers operating an undercover vehicle attempted to pull him over, he sped away in a Honda Pilot. Williams also admitted that during the ensuing pursuit, he rammed the Pilot into the officers’ vehicle and drove away.
The drug conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The charge of assaulting a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2018.