Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, which includes members of the Newark, East Orange, and Rutgers Police Departments, arrested two people and charged a third with various drug and weapons offenses today.
The team executed a search warrant in the 300 block of Lyons Avenue in Newark, where they recovered a stolen Kimber Warrior .45 caliber handgun, an Intra-Tech 18 9mm handgun, two assault rifles, one Mossenburg 500A 12-gauge shotgun, 10 bricks of heroin with a street value of $4,000, drug packaging paraphernalia and $195 in cash.
“Drugs and guns threaten the security and tranquility of the community and put everyone at risk.
These arrests today are the result of a multi-month investigation. They are a part of an ongoing effort to clean-up the Irvington/Newark border as well as the East Orange/Irvington border,’’ said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Stephens.
Mark Mells, 33, of Newark has been charged with four counts of possession of an assault rifle, three counts of possession of large capacity magazines, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession within 1,000 feet of a school zone, resisting arrest by flight, receiving stolen property, endangering the welfare of a child, and conspiracy.
Mells, who jumped out of a window and fled, remains at large.
Mells’ mother, Geraldine Mells, 54, of Newark was arrested at the Lyons Avenue location and has been charged with conspiracy.
Alexandria S. Reid, 29, of Newark was also arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, four counts of possession of assault rifles, three counts of possession of large capacity magazines, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, conspiracy and endangering the welfare of a child.
A nine-year-old child was in the home at the time the search warrant was executed. She is now under the supervision of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, formerly known as the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).
“It amazes me the type weapons, especially these kind, that are found in our neighborhoods. When these kinds of illegal weapons are seized, lives are saved and the quality of life in our city improves,’’ said Newark Public Safety Director Ambrose.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.