EATONTOWN – Owning a firearm is illegal if you’re a convicted felon, and police were tipped off to one staying in a local hotel with a gun.
Rashon Alexander, 42, of Long Branch, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to police, they received information on January 13, 2020, that Alexander was staying in a hotel with a gun. They saw him approaching the hotel with another man. He admitted to being in possession of marijuana, which police found on him. They also recovered an RG Industries .22 caliber revolver from his pants pocket.
Now that he’s pleaded guilty, his sentencing is scheduled for February 22, 20201. He faces a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for February 22, 2021.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson, Newark Field Division, Trenton Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
He also thanked the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni, the Eatontown Police Department, under the direction of Chief William P. Lucia, III, and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan for their assistance.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
