Man Sentenced 10 Years for Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon

Lamar McCullough, 30, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison following a conviction for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.

Lamar McCullough, 30, of Essex County, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted by a federal jury for unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Katherine Hayden imposed the sentence in Newark federal court, following McCullough’s conviction on June 7, 2024, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

The case stemmed from an incident on March 5, 2021, when Newark Police responded to a shooting victim at University Hospital. Surveillance footage captured McCullough shooting a victim four times at close range on Isabella Avenue in Newark. Four 9-millimeter shell casings were recovered from the scene of the shooting, which led to McCullough’s arrest and conviction.

In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, McCullough will also serve three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the Newark Police Department, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and special agents of the FBI for their collaborative efforts in investigating the case. The investigation was part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), a program aimed at reducing violent crime in the area.

McCullough’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences for individuals with prior convictions who illegally possess firearms or ammunition.