An Essex County man was found guilty by a federal jury of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition. Ken Anderson, 33, of Newark, was convicted after a trial before United States District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court. The sentencing is set for June 23, 2026.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, detectives from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office responded to a tip from a confidential informant on July 22, 2025. The tip concerned an individual with a firearm at the Wynona Lipman Gardens housing development in Newark’s Central Ward. Detectives found Anderson sitting in a double-parked vehicle within the development. When approached by law enforcement using sirens and lights, Anderson fled the scene, driving recklessly through the area.
Anderson eventually reached a dead-end street, exited his moving vehicle before it crashed into a handicapped sign, took a backpack, and ran through the housing development. He jumped over fences and crossed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd onto Interstate 280 where officers apprehended him. Two loaded firearms were recovered from the backpack and one bullet was found in Anderson’s pant pocket.
The conviction is for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. This charge carries up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello credited both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Newark Division—led by Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Roddy—and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office—under Sheriff Amir D. Jones—for their roles in investigating this case.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime," according to Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rachelle M. Navarro and Sean Nadel represented the government during prosecution.
Anderson was represented by defense counsel Tyler Newman and Mallory Olwig.
