An Essex County man on Thursday, March 21, 2024, admitted his role in a narcotics conspiracy involving approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl, possessing with intent to distribute approximately 482 grams of cocaine, and possessing three firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.
Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 36, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Gonzalez and Hector Martinez, of North Bergen, conspired to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl and were arrested on Dec. 19, 2022, shortly after arriving at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to complete the sale.
Kearny was buzzing with unfounded rumors of a shooting, as observers mistook the commotion stemming from police apprehending Gonzalez and Martinez, who had conspired to make a drug transaction involving approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl at the Marshalls’ parking lot.
The police intervention prevented the illegal transaction from being completed and both Gonzalez and Martinez were arrested after they arrived in Kearny at the Marshalls’ parking lot — to complete the sale.
After their arrests, a search of Gonzalez’s home and an apartment uncovered two loaded firearms, an unloaded firearm, ammunition, drug packaging materials, and drugs, including approximately 482 grams of heroin.
Gonzalez had previously been convicted, in New Jersey Superior Court, Morris County, of first-degree drug distribution, second degree weapons possession during a controlled substance offense, and second degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and was sentenced in 2009 to 30 years in prison.
The counts of fentanyl and cocaine conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine carry maximum penalties of 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine.
The felon in possession count carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2024.