Convicted Felon Admits Illegally Possessing Firearm in Planned Revenge Shooting Spree
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man with previous felony convictions today admitted illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as part of a planned revenge shooting, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Raheem Allen, 34, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to an information charging him with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On March 7, 2021, Allen travelled to Jersey City, New Jersey, to gain revenge for the March 6, 2021, murder of his brother, a high-ranking member of a Jersey City street gang. Law enforcement officers obtained communications involving Allen wherein he explained his criminal purpose. As a result, law enforcement officers saw Allen arrive in Jersey City and retrieve an Intratec Tec-22 semi-automatic firearm, which was loaded with approximately 25 rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement immediately apprehended Allen as he was readying to enter a vehicle. Law enforcement officers recovered the firearm, additional boxes of ammunition, and a quantity of cocaine. During post-arrest questioning, Allen admitted that he came to Jersey City to “kill a lot of people” due to the murder of his brother.
Allen has previously been convicted of felony offenses, including robbery and possession of controlled substances.
The firearms offense to which Allen pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The drug offense carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2021.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez; and the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith R. Travers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
