U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger | U.S. Department of Justice
An Essex County man has been indicted on charges related to firearms and narcotics offenses, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Raishaun Lofton, a 30-year-old resident of Newark, New Jersey, faces multiple charges including possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Lofton appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Almonte in Newark federal court and was detained.
Court documents reveal that on February 22, 2024, during an investigation, police officers recovered from Lofton a privately made firearm without a serial number, nine rounds of 9mm ammunition, 81 glassine envelopes containing fentanyl, and plastic jugs typically used for distributing illegal drugs. On April 22, 2024, video surveillance captured Lofton firing another firearm into the air during an argument. A bullet from this incident entered a nearby living room where a family with two children was present. Law enforcement later recovered the firearm used by Lofton.
The charges against Lofton carry significant penalties. Each count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon could result in up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $1 million. The charge related to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking mandates at least five years in prison consecutively with other sentences and could lead to life imprisonment along with fines up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger acknowledged the contributions of special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado and officers from the Newark Police Department led by Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda for their roles in the investigation leading to these charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs is representing the government in this case as part of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
It is important to note that all charges are accusations at this stage; Raishaun Lofton is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Defense counsel for Lofton is Tatiana Nnaji, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender based in Newark.
