By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that Quadri Cooper, 20, of Atlantic City, was found guilty this morning after a jury convicted him of eleven crimes, including third-degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (crack cocaine), second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun while committing drug crimes, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a defaced handgun, and first-degree and second-degree crimes relating to employing a juvenile to engage in drug distribution crimes.
According to ACPO officials, at approximately 8:30 p.m. on December 22, 2022, Sergeant Timothy Smith of the Atlantic City Police Department was patrolling the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue when he saw a group of men huddled together in the aisle of a convenience store.
Since the men did not appear to be shopping, Sergeant Smith stopped to check on the store’s clerk, Atlantic County officials stated.
After entering the store, ACPO authorities said Sergeant Smith saw Cooper and a 15-year-old juvenile selling crack cocaine together.
Upon seeing Sergeant Smith, the defendant fled to the rear of the store, where he hid a fully loaded 9mm Taurus brand handgun on a shelf, Atlantic County officials say.
ACPO officials said that, additionally, the defendant had approximately 6.5 grams of crack cocaine on his person.
Subsequently, the State Police ballistics laboratory later confirmed that all three serial numbers on the handgun had been removed, and the handgun was determined to be fully operable and capable of firing, according to Atlantic County officials. 
ACPO authorities say Cooper remains incarcerated in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending his sentencing, which is scheduled to occur on June 10, 2025.