A loaded .22 caliber handgun was found in the bedroom of Shahouna Dutton, 24, of Jersey City, New Jersey, during a search tied to a witness tampering investigation connected to a pending homicide case — leading to a federal charge of illegal firearm possession.
Dutton, a previously convicted felon, was arrested at her home by FBI special agents and charged by criminal complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. She made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court, where she was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
On February 22, 2018, investigators from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at Dutton’s residence in search of evidence related to alleged witness tampering in a homicide case set to go to trial five days later. During the search, law enforcement recovered the loaded firearm from her bedroom — a violation of federal law given her criminal history.
Dutton has two prior felony convictions in the State of New Jersey, which legally bars her from possessing any firearm or ammunition under federal statute. Possession by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the FBI’s investigation, led by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher, with securing the arrest. He also acknowledged the assistance of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and the Jersey City Police Department, directed by James Shea, in supporting the probe.
The charge against Dutton is merely an accusation. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Robert Frazer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.
Related Federal Cases
- Joseph Triplett Gets 32 Months for Illegal Firearm Possession · New Jersey
- Ringwood Gun Dealer Cebula Sentenced to Two Years for Machinegun Possession · New Jersey
- Roosevelt Dante Harris Admits to Gun Possession in Asbury Park Drive-By · South Carolina
- Marion County’s William Fulmer Indicted on Firearm Charge · West Virginia
- Hank Yoo Sentenced to 97 Months for Firearm Lies · Texas
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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