Convicted Felon Gets 7+ Years For Shooting, Firearms Possession

Newark resident convicted after firing at victims near an apartment complex

NEWARK, NJ – An Essex County man has been sentenced to 85 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition following a prior felony conviction, U.S. Attorney John Giordano announced.

Ramad Moultrie, 23, of Newark, had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the case stems from an incident on August 2, 2021, when Newark police responded to a shooting at the Grace West Manor Complex on Irvine Turner Boulevard. Officers discovered two victims with gunshot wounds.

Surveillance footage showed Moultrie waving a crowd, including small children, out of the way before firing a gun at the victims. Authorities recovered three .45 auto caliber shell casings from the scene.

Following his arrest, law enforcement seized a .45 caliber handgun, a 9mm handgun, ammunition, and drugs from Moultrie’s residence.

In addition to his seven-year, one-month prison sentence, Judge Martinotti ordered Moultrie to serve three years of supervised release after his incarceration.

U.S. Attorney Giordano credited the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., and the Newark Police Department, led by Director Emanuel Miranda, for their roles in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Specht of the Special Prosecutions Division represented the government in this case.