An Elizabeth man, Stanley Claiborne, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for illegal firearm possession. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney John Giordano. Claiborne, aged 28, had earlier pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin to charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentence was handed down in Newark federal court.
Court documents reveal that on July 14, 2022, the United States Marshals Service arrested Claiborne near Market and Broad Streets in Newark due to two unrelated warrants. At the time of arrest, he had a loaded gun despite being previously convicted for unlawful handgun possession and other felonies.
Judge Padin also imposed a three-year supervised release following the prison term. "This case is an excellent example of state and federal authorities partnering together to aggressively combat illegal gun possession in New Jersey," stated U.S. Attorney John Giordano.
Juan Mattos Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey, remarked on the significance of Claiborne's arrest and prosecution as evidence of their commitment to community safety: “The arrest of Stanley Claiborne and prosecution for possessing an illegal firearm is a testament to the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorney’s Office commitment to justice and safety for our communities throughout the state.”
U.S. Attorney Giordano credited several agencies with leading the investigation resulting in Claiborne's sentencing, including special agents from the FBI's Newark Field Office under Acting Special Agent Terence G. Reilly, the USMS led by Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., and Newark Police Department directed by Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda.
The investigation was part of efforts by the USMS’s New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF), which has significantly impacted apprehending dangerous fugitives since its formation in 2002.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement levels and community engagement initiated on May 26, 2021.
Additionally, it is part of Operation Take Back America, which focuses on combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations using resources from various Department initiatives like OCDETFs and PSN.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clara Kim and Thomas S. Kearney represented the government in this case.
