An Ocean County, New Jersey man received a 151-month prison sentence for drug and weapon offenses, U.S. Attorney John Giordano reported. Masta Redding, 38, from Toms River, admitted guilt to charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon with firearm and ammunition.
Court documents reveal that on March 5, 2020, Redding had cocaine on his person and at his residence, intending to distribute it. Being a convicted felon, he also had a loaded Jimenez Arms pistol. He confessed to paying another individual to falsely claim ownership of the cocaine and gun found at his residence.
In addition to prison, U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams sentenced Redding to three years of supervised release and mandated the forfeiture of the weapon and ammunition used in the crime.
Special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, directed by Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr., and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, were credited with the investigation that led to Redding's conviction. U.S. Attorney Giordano also expressed appreciation to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Asbury Park Police Department for their contributions to the case.
The prosecution team for the U.S. government included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Belgiovine and Elisa T. Wiygul from the Criminal Division in Trenton and Camden. Redding’s defense attorney was Jonathan Sobel from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
