Essex County Sheriff’s Office

NEWS RELEASE

July 21, 2019

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

 Newark – A Georgia man was arrested late this morning by Essex County sheriff’s officers and weapons charges were filed against him.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department were on routine patrol in the area of Weequahic Park Sunday at 11:15 a.m. when they observed a Ford pick-up truck parked on the Route 22 service road.  The vehicle displayed a Texas license plate in the front and a Georgia license plate in the rear in violation of New Jersey statutes.

“The driver, Coy Jones. 64, of Calhoun, Georgia, readily admitted he had a gun concealed in the driver’s side door compartment,” Fontoura said. “The weapon proved to be a fully loaded, .40 caliber, Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun.  Jones was placed under arrest.  An additional ammunition magazine and a box of bullets were also found in the truck.  The majority of the ammunition in the gun, in the extra magazine and in the box were illegal hollow-point bullets.

Jones was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of hollow-point bullets.  He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for fictitious license plates and failure to produce a vehicle registration card.

The suspect was lodged at the Essex County jail where he awaits a bail hearing on today’s charges.