Sharif Hallman, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, New Jersey 2021

Camden, NJ - A Salem County man is facing serious consequences after being charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Sharif Hallman, 38, of Carneys Point, New Jersey, appeared in court via video conference on the charge, which was brought by Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

According to documents filed in the case, on March 7, 2021, Penns Grove and Carneys Point police officers responded to an apartment complex in Carneys Point after receiving a 911 call reporting a shooting. The officers encountered Hallman, a 13-time convicted felon, with a bicycle. A pistol was dislodged from Hallman's possession and landed on the ground, with one round in the chamber and an extended magazine containing another 22 rounds of ammunition.

Hallman's history of convictions makes him ineligible to possess firearms or ammunition, highlighting the seriousness of the charge. The felon in possession of ammunition charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Camden Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai in Newark; officers of the Penns Grove Police Department, under the direction of Officer in Charge Lt. Jason G. Spera; officers of the Carneys Point Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Dale VanNamee; and the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John T. Lenahan.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden. Hallman is currently detained following his initial appearance in court.

The charge and allegation contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and Hallman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/salem-county-man-charged-possession-ammunition-convicted-felon