Rahameen Newkirk, a 46-year-old resident of Paterson, New Jersey, was sentenced on July 15 to 96 months in prison for trafficking drugs and firearms, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. The sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden.
Newkirk had previously pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, undercover law enforcement officers purchased three AR-style rifles as well as fentanyl and cocaine base from Newkirk during an investigation that took place in 2020 and 2021.
Authorities said Newkirk earned thousands of dollars through these illegal activities. His prior state convictions for distribution of controlled substances qualified him as a ‘career offender’ under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which increased his sentencing exposure. In addition to the prison term, Judge Williams ordered three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer thanked special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs in Philadelphia for their work on the case.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by coordinating efforts between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Department of Justice launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which focuses on fostering trust within communities, supporting prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
The government was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro from the Criminal Division. Defense counsel was Gary Mizzone.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey prosecutes federal crimes across the state; it is part of the U.S. Department of Justice with offices located in Newark, Trenton, and Camden; it staffs about 170 attorneys and support personnel; advances community safety through law enforcement coordination; represents the United States in civil matters; has alumni who include federal judges and senators, according to its official website.