Fuquan Haafiz Ali Bowers and Christina Lanette Williams, Firearms Trafficking, New Jersey 2021

Newark, NJ – In a shocking revelation, a South Carolina couple has been charged with illegally trafficking firearms into New Jersey, according to a recent press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Fuquan Haafiz Ali Bowers, 37, and Christina Lanette Williams, both of Newberry, South Carolina, were arrested on November 3, 2021, and are facing charges of conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, and transferring firearms to an out-of-state resident. Bowers was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Elizabeth Police Department, which uncovered several firearms in separate investigations in Elizabeth, New Jersey. One of the recovered firearms was at the scene of a shooting, while another was recovered from a juvenile, and the third was recovered from a convicted felon. The ATF later discovered that the recovered firearms were purchased by Williams in South Carolina before they were subsequently recovered by law enforcement in New Jersey.

According to the press release, Williams and Bowers traveled from South Carolina to New Jersey to sell the firearms in Elizabeth, highlighting the need for federal authorities to crack down on firearms trafficking.

The charges against Bowers and Williams carry significant penalties, including up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for the firearms dealing charges, and up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for the felon in possession of a firearm charge.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy P. Shaughnessy of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark. The defendants were released on $25,000 unsecured bond after their initial court appearance.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The U.S. Attorney’s office credited the ATF and the Elizabeth Police Department with the investigation leading to these charges. The case is part of the violent crime reduction initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

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