TRENTON, N.J. - A Bronx, New York, man arrested for distributing approximately eight pounds of methamphetamine has made his initial appearance in federal court, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Anthony Morales, 44, was arrested June 13, 2018, and charged by complaint with one count of distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman in Trenton federal court and was detained.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In June 2018, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) source provided information to HSI that a sale of a large volume of methamphetamine would be taking place in the parking lot of a restaurant in Moorestown, New Jersey.
On June 12, 2018, law enforcement officers observed Morales and another individual (Person One) meet in the restaurant’s parking lot before Morales handed Person One a box. As Person One walked away from Morales, law enforcement officers converged on the parking lot and arrested both individuals. Morales told law enforcement officers that he had arrived at restaurant earlier that day to sell Person One approximately 8 pounds of methamphetamine, and that he had, in fact, distributed the methamphetamine to Person One in a box. Morales admitted that he was arrested while waiting for Person One to pay him for the methamphetamine.
The methamphetamine distribution charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life imprisonment, and a $10 million fine.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of HSI, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Richard Reinhold in Cherry Hill, with the investigation leading to the charge.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Joseph Gribko and Eric A. Boden of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton.
Defense counsel: Andrea Bergman Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
