Newark Felon Admits Gun Possession Charge

Newark, N.J. – Bilal Ward, a 29-year-old Newark resident with a prior felony conviction, has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

Ward’s guilty plea came before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court, where he was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Documents and court statements revealed that on September 26, 2020, law enforcement officers recovered a 9mm Taurus handgun, loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, a magazine containing nine rounds, and marijuana from Ward’s car during a lawful search in Newark. Ward had been previously convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

The charge against Ward carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, with sentencing scheduled for April 7, 2022.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which employs a multi-agency approach to dismantle criminal organizations. For more information on the OCDETF Program, visit here.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig praised the Newark Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their roles in the investigation leading to Ward’s guilty plea. The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey E. Zyriek Enriquez and Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori.

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