Ross St. Narcotics Arrests

June 16, 2017

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Newark – Two suspects were arrested late Thursday afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s detectives at the intersection of Ross Street and Evergreen Avenue in the city’s South Ward and multiple drug charges were filed against them.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that his department’s Bureau of Narcotics conducted a plainclothes surveillance operation at that location yesterday in response to neighborhood complaints of open-air drug trafficking.

“A male suspect, later identified as Rashon McNeil, 28 of Newark, and a female suspect, identified as Tamiyah Jackson, 20 of Elizabeth, were observed loitering in the area,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “McNeil soon engaged in a brief conversation with a female passerby who gave cash to McNeil for an item in his jacket pocket.”

The sheriff’s narcotics detectives then announced their presence and detained McNeil.  During a patdown search for officer safety McNeil was found to be in possession of 73 grams of ‘crack’ cocaine, 169 heroin-filled glassine envelopes, stamped “HBO” in red ink, and $570.

“When Jackson was asked to produce identification she opened her purse and our officers could readily see an additional 47 decks of heroin.

McNeil was charged with two counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public housing complex.

Jackson was also charged with the possession and intent to distribute CDS.

Both suspects were lodged at the county jail where they await a bail hearing.

A canvass of the area for the female passerby was unsuccessful.

Downtown Newark Drug Arrests

April 19, 2017

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Newark – Two alleged drug dealers were among four individuals arrested on Tuesday afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s detectives.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics staged a plainclothes surveillance operation near the intersection of West Kinney and Nevada streets in downtown Newark yesterday afternoon in response to numerous neighborhood complaints of open-air drug trafficking in the area.

At that location, the sheriff’s detectives observed three men, later identified as William Durrette, 25 of Newark, Dominique Horne, 26 of Irvington, and Jaleel Carter, 25 of Newark, loitering in the area.

“A passerby, Daniel Sokolowski, 32 of Livingston, engaged Durrette in a brief conversation,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “Our officers observed as Durrette removed an item from his waistband and exchanged it with Sokolowski for cash.”

Sokolowski was followed from the scene and was placed under arrest when he was found to be in possession of one plastic jug containing ‘crack’ cocaine.

“Our officers then moved in on the three suspects to further investigate,” Fontoura added.  “Durrette was found to be in possession of an additional 8 jugs of ‘crack’ cocaine, two zip-lock bags of marijuana and $141 in cash.  As Horne ran from the scene, he tossed a plastic bag into a nearby alleyway.  Horne was quickly captured and his plastic bag was recovered.  It was found to contain 135 heroin-filled glassine envelops, stamped ‘100% in red ink, and 55 jugs of ‘crack’ cocaine.  Horne had $46 in cash on him at the time of his arrest.”

Carter was found to be the subject of two open warrants issued by the Newark municipal court and he was placed under arrest.

Durrette was charged with multiple counts of the sale, possession and intent to distribute narcotics.

Horne was also charged with multiple narcotics crimes and resisting arrest.

Durrette, Horne and Carter were lodged at the county jail.

Sokolowski was charged with possession of narcotics, issued a summons and released on his own recognizance.  His court hearing is scheduled for May 2nd.