Mercer Man Charged For Illegally Possessing Firearms, Narcotics: Feds

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A man from Mercer County was arrested and charged with illegally possessing firearms and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Monday.

Jose Colon-Matos, 33, of Trenton, is charged by complaint with one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of two firearms, one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

His detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

According to court documents, following an investigation into narcotics activity in Hamilton on May 10, 2024, officers searched an apartment used by Colon-Matos and found a safe with two loaded firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number, distribution quantities of suspected fentanyl and cocaine, and approximately $9,000.

The drugs were tested by the New Jersey State Police forensic laboratory, which returned positive results for fentanyl and cocaine.

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm carries a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000.

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