Thirteen individuals were charged today with various drug trafficking and firearms offenses arising from an investigation targeting unlawful activities in a northeast neighborhood in the city of Trenton, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
According to U.S. Attorney Sellinger, Jamal Wilson, aka “Vill,” and Theodore Meekins, aka “Meech,” both of Trenton, were among 12 defendants charged in a 16-count criminal complaint unsealed today.
Ten of the defendants were arrested this morning as part of a takedown coordinated by federal and local law enforcement authorities.
One defendant is currently detained on related charges. One defendant remains at large.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger stated that a 13th defendant, Alterrick Livingston, 42, of Trenton, was arrested and charged today in a separate complaint following law enforcement’s court-authorized search of his Trenton apartment and the recovery of five privately made firearms (PMFs), two fully drilled frames, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and numerous tools and accessories used for manufacturing and assembling firearms.
Wilson was charged with three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including 100 grams or more of heroin, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and additional quantities of cocaine.
Meekins was charged in three counts with distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Livingston was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to U.S. Attorney Sellinger, the remaining defendants were charged with varying counts of distribution or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine base, and cocaine.
Those arrested today are scheduled to make their initial court appearances this afternoon before in Trenton federal court.
According to the two federal criminal complaints:
Beginning in July 2020, law enforcement agencies investigating drug trafficking in the area of Garfield, Cleveland, and Logan avenues in Trenton executed numerous controlled purchases of narcotics from multiple defendants, including Wilson and Meekins.
On multiple occasions, law enforcement officers made multiple seizures of unlawfully trafficked narcotics, including suspected heroin, cocaine base and a firearm from a vehicle driven by Meekins, a previously convicted felon.
Communications that law enforcement intercepted revealed that Wilson was a significant drug trafficker of heroin, cocaine base, and cocaine in the area, specifically in the area of the Grand Court Villas apartment building, East State Street and South Olden Avenue; Garfield Avenue Playground; and other locations.
In connection with today’s coordinated operation, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Livingston’s Trenton apartment and recovered multiple firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and numerous tools and accessories used for manufacturing and assembling firearms.