Pennsylvania Corrections Officer Faces Gun Charges in South Jersey
NJ police arrested a Pennsylvania corrections officer who allegedly had a handgun in his car while driving through South Jersey.
The car accident occurred on a road in Glassboro, NJ. The 46-year-old suspect, who is employed as a sergeant at a state prison in Chester, PA, was involved in a car crash while returning home from a concert and dinner in Atlantic City.
Glassboro police were called to the scene of the accident, where they checked on the condition of the driver and his wife, who was a passenger in the vehicle. While talking to the couple, police reportedly learned that the suspect had a gun underneath the driver’s side seat. A subsequent search of the vehicle, conducted while the suspect and his wife were on their way to a local hospital, turned up a 9mm Glock handgun.
Although the suspect is licensed to carry his personal handgun in Pennsylvania, he does not have a similar license to carry the gun in New Jersey. As a result, he was charged with illegal possession of a handgun.
If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the weapons offense charges, he faces severe criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), any person who knowingly has in his possession a handgun without first having obtained a permit to carry the weapon in New Jersey can be charged with a third degree felony. This means that the suspect could potentially be sentenced to up to five years in NJ State Prison. Moreover, since the Graves Act applies to crimes involving an illegal weapon, the suspect would be required to serve a minimum of 3.5 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
New Jersey has some of the toughest gun crime laws in the country – and those laws do not permit a person without a gun permit or license to possess or transport weapons within NJ state borders, even if the person has a permit to carry in another state.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for illegal handgun possession, unlawful possession of a weapon or any other weapons offense in New Jersey, the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty can help you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your case.
