Jihad Garrett, Heroin Possession, New Jersey 2019

Newark Man Convicted of Possessing Heroin and Firearm

Newark, N.J. - A Newark man, Jihad Garrett, 35, was convicted by a federal jury of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of a handgun while committing a drug crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

The jury deliberated for two and a half hours before returning the guilty verdicts in federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial, Garrett was seen by Newark police officers in a vehicle that matched one linked to a series of carjacking and shooting incidents over the previous month.

When approached, Garrett told the officers he was also a police officer and had over $2,500 in cash rolled up in his breast pockets. After a canine unit indicated drugs were in the car, the vehicle was towed and a search warrant was obtained, leading to the discovery of over 500 individual doses of heroin and a .40 caliber handgun in the front seat area.

Garrett had previously been convicted of four drug felonies in Essex and Union counties and was sentenced to 74 months in federal prison after being convicted of distributing heroin in 2011.

The defendant is facing a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the Newark Police Department, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department with the investigation leading to today’s conviction.

The government was represented at trial by Senior Trial Counsel Robert Frazer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Latzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/newark-man-convicted-possession-heroin-and-firearm