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Essex County Resident Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearm, Cocaine, Heroin, and Fentanyl
Taurean Gordon admits to possession of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and an illegal firearm as part of a drug trafficking operation.
Morristown, NJ – In a significant legal development, Taurean Gordon, a 40-year-old resident of Irvington in Essex County, New Jersey, has admitted to charges of illegal possession of narcotics and a firearm. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger made the announcement following Gordon's guilty plea in Camden federal court.
Gordon, appearing before U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charge. This included one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Court documents and statements revealed that on February 11, 2021, Gordon was found in possession of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, all packaged for distribution. As a previously convicted felon, he was also in illegal possession of a North American Arms Inc. revolver, loaded with five rounds of ammunition.
The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The firearm possession charge, considering Gordon's status as a felon, could result in a maximum 10-year prison term. Furthermore, the count of possessing a firearm to advance a drug trafficking operation mandates a minimum of five years, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence and could extend to life imprisonment. Each of the firearm-related counts also carries a potential fine of up to $250,000.
The sentencing for these charges is scheduled for May 8, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger recognized the investigative efforts of the Newark Police Division, led by Director Fritz Fragé, and the special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit and George Barchini of the Narcotics/Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit represent the government in this case, highlighting the seriousness with which such crimes are pursued in the justice system.
