NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey males have been charged with possessing with intent to distribute roughly one kilogram of cocaine and roughly 100 grams of fentanyl, U.S. Lawyer Philip R. Sellinger introduced as we speak.
Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 35, of Newark, and Hector Martinez, 31, of North Bergen, New Jersey, are charged by criticism with one depend of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Gonzalez can be charged with one depend of being a beforehand convicted felon in possession of three firearms and ammunition. That they had their preliminary appearances by videoconference on Dec. 20, 2022, earlier than U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Jessica S. Allen and had been each detained.
Based on paperwork filed on this case and statements made in court docket:
On Dec. 19, 2022, Gonzalez and Martinez conspired to distribute roughly one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl and had been arrested shortly after they arrived at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to finish the sale. After their arrests, a search of Gonzalez’s residence and an condominium additionally uncovered two loaded firearms, an unloaded firearm, ammunition, drug packaging supplies, and suspected heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and Xanax capsules. Gonzalez had beforehand been convicted, in New Jersey Superior Court docket, Morris County, of first-degree drug distribution, second diploma weapons possession throughout a managed substance offense, and second diploma possession of a firearm for an illegal objective, and was sentenced in 2009 to 30 years in jail.
The depend of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl carries a compulsory minimal penalty of 5 years in jail, a most of 40 years in jail, and high-quality of as much as $5 million. The felon in possession of a firearm cost carries a possible most penalty of 15 years in jail and a high-quality of as much as $250,000.
U.S. Lawyer Sellinger credited particular brokers of the FBI, beneath the route of Particular Agent in Cost James E. Dennehy in Newark, and officers with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Workplace, beneath the route of Appearing Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, with the investigation resulting in the costs. He additionally thanked Newark Police Division for its help.
The federal government is represented by Assistant U.S. Lawyer Camila A. Garces of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
The costs and allegations contained within the criticism are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible.
