By: Najla Alexander
A Newark resident was sentenced today to 93 months in prison on weapons and drug charges, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger reported.
According to Federal officials, Teriek Edwards, 44, of Newark, was previously convicted on two counts of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon; one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of his possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone.
Following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court, officials say.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
Authorities reported on May 25, 2018, members of the East Orange Police Department attempted to stop Edwards as part of an ongoing investigation
Upon being approached by law enforcement officers, Edwards fled, and a struggle ensued.
Edwards was arrested, and law enforcement says officers recovered heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and other illegal narcotics from his pants pockets and a 9mm firearm loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition.
Officials say that a federal complaint was filed against Edwards, and a federal arrest warrant was issued.
According to officials, on August 22, 2018, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Edwards on that federal arrest warrant. At that time, they recovered a second handgun – a 9mm firearm loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Vazquez sentenced Edwards to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Miller; members of East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis Bindi; members of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director Fritz Fragé; deputy marshals and task force officers with the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of New Jersey, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.; and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.