Party Bus With Ghost Guns, Ammo, Drugs Leads To 15 Indictments In Mercer County

PRINCETON, NJ — A party bus driving through Mercer County found with six guns including two ghost guns, four high-capacity magazines, hollow-point ammunition, and drugs led to the indictment of 15 people, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said.

On Oct. 30, 2021, authorities learned that a party bus carrying multiple people in possession of weapons was driving through Mercer County and that it would return to the Trenton area via Interstate 195. Read More: 14 Charged After Guns, Ammo Found On Party Bus In Mercer County

In the early hours of Oct. 31, 2021, detectives with the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit and Opioid Enforcement Task Force along with members of the Trenton Police Department and Hamilton Police Department stopped the bus on Interstate 195 in Hamilton Township.

As detectives approached the bus, those inside allegedly tried to hide several weapons, police said.

Detectives found three 9mm handguns, including two ghost guns, a .45 caliber handgun, a .40 caliber handgun, a .380 caliber handgun, four high-capacity magazines, hollow-point ammunition, and promethazine, a prescription syrup as a result of the investigation.

A ghost gun is a firearm that is assembled from various parts that are not imprinted with a serial number registered with a federally licensed manufacturer, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace.

"These guns are a danger to public safety, and we in law enforcement are committed to stopping violence and preventing criminals from getting their hands on illegal weapons,” Bruck said in a statement. "Let this indictment be a warning to those engaging in criminal behavior: you will be held accountable."

Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police said illegal weapons and ammunition was removed from the streets thanks to the hard work and investigative skills of the detectives.

"Those in possession will now have to answer for their crimes,” said Callahan. “These indictments are a testament to the dedication and commitment the New Jersey State Police and our law enforcement partners share in order to make our communities safer for residents."

The following people were indicted on Jan. 24 on second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree unlawful possession of a firearm without a serial number, fourth-degree possession of hollow nose ammunition, fourth-degree unlawful possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines, and various first-, second-, third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses. Those with an asterisk also face second-degree certain persons not to have weapons charges:

• Javon McKinney, 22, of Trenton
• Jaquan Harper, 20, of Trenton
• Jahmel Johnson*, 24, of Trenton
• Joshus Chavis, 21, of Trenton
• Tahvon Goss*, 23, of Trenton
• Makai Brown, 21, of Atlanta, GA
• Maurice Nance, 20, of Trenton
• Harold Ruiz*, 22, of Trenton
• Zaequan Cofield, 21, of Trenton
• Khalil Glanton, 22, of Trenton
• Daquane McRae*, 26, of Trenton
• Zaire Leary*, 24, of Trenton
• Daquan Lewis*, 27, of Trenton
• Aaron Turner*, 31, of Trenton and
• Kena West*, 25, of Trenton.

McKinney, Harper, Johnson, and Chavis are also charged with second-degree possession, receipt, or transfer of a community gun in connection with one of the firearms seized. A "community gun" is a firearm that is transferred among, between or within any association of two or more persons who, while possessing that firearm, engage in criminal activity or use it unlawfully against the person or property of another.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.