An Essex County man previously convicted of multiple felonies admitted today to possessing a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials report that Sharif Clarke, 38, of Irvington, pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On December 3, 2018, Clarke knowingly possessed a Glock .40-caliber handgun loaded with nine rounds of Remington ammunition. At that time, Clarke had previously been convicted in Essex County Superior Court of resisting and eluding arrest and of possession of a controlled substance on school property, both of which are felonies.
The charge to which Clarke pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to try and reduce gun violence.