NEWARK, N.J. - An Essex County, New Jersey, man today admitted negotiating the sale of 17 firearms over a five-month period while he was a previously convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Reginald Moultrie, 49, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with one count of possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On July 20, 2017, Moultrie, who had at least one prior felony conviction in Essex County Superior Court, possessed an assault rifle capable of accepting a large capacity magazine. Moultrie also acknowledged that between May 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2017, he negotiated the sale of 17 firearms.
The felon in possession charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2019.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation, leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked officers from the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Department of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Patrick McMahon Esq., Newark
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
