TRENTON, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man today admitted illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Federal officials said James Mobley, 41, of Riverside, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
According to police, on Feb. 8, 2020, officers from the Burlington County Police Department responded to a 911 call regarding a man fitting Mobley’s description arguing with an unidentified woman.
Officers driving in marked police vehicles located Mobley, identified themselves, and instructed him not to run. Despite the officers’ verbal commands, Mobley ran and crouched behind a nearby vehicle.
Officers exited their vehicles and pursued Mobley on foot. As one of the officers approached, Mobley tossed a Glock 17 firearm that was loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm caliber ammunition on to the ground.
Mobley has at least five prior felony convictions, including two controlled substance offenses and two resisting arrest offenses.
The charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 14, 2021.
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 reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.