NEWARK, NJ – Naiem Moore, 34, of Newark, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after admitting today to a litany of federal crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Moore pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, effectively ending a case that links him to both a shooting and a serious narcotics operation.
According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, Moore was found with a significant quantity of drugs and a loaded weapon during a traffic stop on January 14, 2021. Law enforcement recovered glassine envelopes packed with heroin, jugs brimming with cocaine, and a Chrome Llama Max I firearm – loaded with four rounds of ammunition and two dangerous controlled expansion rounds – from his vehicle. But this wasn’t an isolated incident.
The feds revealed that Moore had already used the same firearm in a shooting and attempted assault back on September 28, 2020. The indictment detailed two counts of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and a separate count for using the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. Moore’s prior conviction makes the gun charge particularly serious.
The penalties are stacking up. The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The two firearm counts each carry a maximum of 10 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine. Crucially, the charge of possessing a firearm during drug trafficking mandates a minimum of five years in prison – to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed – with a potential life sentence at the high end. That’s a long time for Moore to contemplate his choices.
This takedown was part of the Newark Violent Crimes Initiative (VCI), a collaborative effort formed in 2017 to combat escalating violence in and around Newark. The VCI pools resources from a massive coalition of agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Newark Police, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and several other local and state law enforcement entities. It’s a full-court press aimed at dismantling criminal networks and keeping the streets safer.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited the Newark Police Division, FBI special agents, and the Bloomfield Police Department with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. Moore is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, 2024, where he will finally learn the price of his crimes. The Grimy Times will be there to report the outcome.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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