Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that 18 men were indicted by a state grand jury for allegedly operating a major weapons trafficking ring based in Newark that was illegally selling numerous guns, including high-powered assault rifles. The primary target of the investigation faces many counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. The indictment, which was handed up late yesterday afternoon, is the result of an investigation by the New Jersey State Police Weapons Trafficking North Unit and the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau.
The investigation focused on Louis Boggs, 31, of Newark. Boggs and his associates used his residence in the first block of 3rd Avenue and a residence in the 700 block of South 15th Street as bases of operation where they allegedly planned their crimes, met prior to gun sales and conducted some sales. From August to December 2013, State Police detectives allegedly orchestrated 22 controlled purchases of guns from members of the ring. In these transactions, Boggs and his associates allegedly sold 11 illegal assault weapons – eight of which were equipped with illegal large-capacity magazines – as well as a rifle and 12 handguns, some with illegal hollow-point bullets. Two of the handguns were stolen, and a third, which had a defaced serial number, was linked by ballistic testing to a murder in Newark.
Boggs allegedly was directly involved in most of the sales, and Joseph Maisonet, 25, a key associate, allegedly participated in about half of them. They face numerous counts of second-degree conspiracy and second-degree unlawful possession of an assault weapon or handgun. They are among eight defendants charged with second-degree possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years without parole. All defendants except one are charged with one or more counts of second-degree conspiracy and various second-, third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses. Because Boggs has a prior conviction for robbery, which falls under the No Early Release Act, he is subject to first-degree gun possession charges. He faces 18 counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon – one for each gun he allegedly sold – each carrying a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison. McKenny Dixon, 46, who has a prior aggravated assault conviction, faces three counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. He allegedly conspired in sales of three assault firearms.
The State Police executed search warrants at the two residences listed above on Dec. 3, 2013. Most of the defendants were arrested on that day or soon after. The detectives seized a revolver in Boggs’ home, as well as numerous rounds of ammunition.
The following is a full list of the individuals charged in the indictment. All of the defendants, with the exception of Andrew Lopez, are charged with one or more counts of second-degree conspiracy and various second-, third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses.
Andrew Lopez is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy to unlawfully dispose of a weapon. Eight defendants are charged with possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, as indicated with an asterisk below.
*Louis Boggs, 31, of Newark. *Joseph Maisonet, 25, of Newark. Alejandro Fawcette, 33, of Newark. Nathan Nieves, 24, of Newark. Raheem Brison, 22, of Newark. Andrew Lopez, 21, of Newark. *Lee McLendon Jr., 35, of Newark. *Reginald Dawsey, 25, of Newark. *McKenny Dixon, 46, of Newark. Marquise Clyburn, 22, of Newark. Justin Caban, 24, of Saylorsburg, Pa. *Ardnas Lopez, 27, of Newark. *Tyheed Brison, 34, of Elizabeth. Mark Jones, 47, of Newark. *Rujohn Hutchins, 24, of Irvington. Alquan McLendon, 31, of Wilkes Barre, Pa. Antwon Graham, 31, of Newark. Muhammad Abdul Salaam, 37, of Irvington.
First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000.