Crime & Safety
Machine Guns, Assault Weapons Seized, Multiple Arrests In Union County
A six-month investigation led to multiple arrests in connection with the trafficking of illegal firearms into New Jersey.
PLAINFIELD, NJ — Machine guns and assault weapons were seized along with multiple arrests in Union County following a six-month joint investigation.
The investigation was conducted by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, Plainfield Police Department Narcotics Unit, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Plainfield, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney announced Friday.
The multi-agency effort targeted Anthony Rogers, 29, of Willingboro, suspected of trafficking illegal firearms into New Jersey. He was arrested on July 22.
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Rogers has been charged with numerous offenses, including:
- Second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun (15 counts)
- Second-degree unlawful possession of an assault weapon (3 counts)
- Second-degree unlawful possession a machine gun
- Second-degree unlawful transport of a firearm into the state (2 counts)
- Third-degree receiving stolen property (2 counts)
- Third-degree unlawful sale of an assault weapon (3 counts)
- Third-degree unlawful sale of a machine gun
- Fourth-degree unlawful possession of a large capacity magazine (10 counts)
- Fourth-degree unlawful possession of hollow point bullets (3 counts)
- Fourth-degree unlawful possession of a defaced firearm
- Fourth-degree unlawful transport/sale of weapons (14 counts)
Rogers was apprehended without incident during a vehicle stop based on an active arrest warrant.
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During the six-month investigation, Rogers allegedly sold nearly two dozen illegal firearms to an individual, including three assault weapons and one machine gun, according to Daniel.
During the vehicle stop, a passenger, Quran Hannibal Edwards, 34 of Plainfield, was also arrested after being found in possession of cocaine. He was charged with third-degree possession of cocaine.
Following Rogers' arrest, the Union County SWAT Team executed a search warrant on a home on the 800 block of East 6th Street in Plainfield. During the search, authorities seized three pounds of marijuana and two handguns.
This led to the arrest of Cameron Hannah, 26, of Plainfield, who was charged with fourth-degree possession of over six ounces of marijuana and third-degree possession with intent to distribute over an ounce of marijuana.
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