CAMDEN, N.J. – A Paterson, New Jersey man was sentenced on July 15, 2026 to 96 months of imprisonment for his role in trafficking drugs and firearms, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.Rahameen Newkirk, 46, of Paterson, New Jersey, previously plead guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams to an Information charging him with one count of being a felon in possession, one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base, and one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:In 2020 and 2021, and as part of a lengthy investigation into the illegal trafficking of firearms and narcotics in Paterson, New Jersey, undercover law enforcement purchased three AR-style rifles, as well as fentanyl and cocaine base from Newkirk. Newkirk made thousands of dollars from this illegal activity. Newkirk’s prior state convictions for distribution of controlled substances qualified him to be sentenced as a “career offender” under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, significantly increasing his sentencing exposure.In addition to the prison term, Judge Williams sentenced Newkirk to three years of supervised release.U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer thanks special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A.
Jacobs in Philadelphia.This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Criminal Division. ###Defense counsel: Gary Mizzone, Esq.