Essex County Man Indicted on Firearms and Drug Trafficking Charges

Authorities allege defendant fired gunshot that entered a family’s living room

An Essex County man has been indicted on firearms and narcotics charges, according to a recent announcement by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. In an investigation involving federal and local law enforcement, the man is alleged to have possessed multiple weapons, fired a gun into the air during an argument, and maintained illegal drugs for distribution.

Allegations and Charges

An Essex County man has been indicted for firearms and narcotics offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

The defendant, identified as 30-year-old Raishaun Lofton of Newark, “was charged by indictment with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Almonte in Newark federal court and was detained.”

According to court documents:

“On February 22, 2024, during an investigation, police officers recovered from Lofton a privately made firearm with no serial number, nine rounds of 9mm ammunition, 81 glassine envelopes containing fentanyl, and plastic jugs commonly used to distribute illegal drugs. On April 22, 2024, video surveillance footage depicted Lofton firing a different firearm into the air during an argument. One of the bullets from the firearm that Lofton shot entered a nearby living room where a family with two children was watching a movie. During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement recovered the firearm that Lofton had fired.”

Potential Penalties

Lofton faces multiple counts with varying sentencing guidelines:

“The two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon each carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to the sentence imposed on the other counts, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000.”

Law Enforcement Collaboration

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado in Newark, and police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, with the investigation that led to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

Legal Proceedings

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Local residents and officials remain attentive to further developments in this case as it proceeds through the federal court system. If convicted on the alleged offenses, Lofton could face significant prison time and fines.