Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
A Newark resident has been charged with firearm and narcotics offenses, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna. Khalif Irving, 25, faces a three-count complaint involving possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Irving appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court on January 24, 2025, where he was ordered detained. According to court documents and statements, Irving allegedly advertised narcotics for sale on social media while posting images of firearms. On January 23, law enforcement recovered a loaded firearm from a utility box at the Janice Kromer Village apartments shortly after Irving stowed it there. Suspected narcotics were also found on his person upon arrest.
The charges against Irving carry significant penalties. Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon could result in up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession with intent to distribute narcotics carries up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine. Additionally, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking mandates at least five years imprisonment, potentially extending to life imprisonment consecutively with other sentences.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited the investigation's success to special agents and task force officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), led by Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., along with contributions from the Newark Police Department under Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda and the North Bergen Police Department under Chief Robert Farley.
This investigation is part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), established in August 2017 through collaboration between federal, state, county, and city agencies aiming to combat violent crime around Newark. The initiative involves multiple organizations including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, ATF, DEA among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Thompson from the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark represents the government in this case.
It is important to note that charges are accusations; Irving remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Defense counsel for Irving is Assistant Federal Public Defender Michael Thomas.
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