Convicted Felon Charged With Illegally Possessing Firearm
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man made his initial appearance today on charges of illegally possessing a weapon and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Gregory Dorceus, 27, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He made his initial appearance by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre and was detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Sept. 16, 2021, members of the Elizabeth Police Department responded to a report of an individual in possession of a firearm in the area of Jefferson Park. They observed Dorceus, who matched the description provided, and approached him. Dorceus reached for his waistband and attempted to ball up in the fetal position. Officers recovered a Ruger model P95DC, 9mm firearm loaded with four rounds of ammunition. Dorceus has prior felony convictions for illegal drugs and weapons.
The count of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; and officers of the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Director Earl J. Graves and Chief Giacomo Sacca, with the investigation leading to the arrest and charges.
In July 2021 the U.S. Department of Justice launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. Leveraging existing resources, the regional strike forces will better ensure sustained and focused coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C. According to gun trace data, a significant number of firearms recovered in the New York/northern New Jersey area originate from outside the area. The new strike force will help ensure sustained and focused coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors in the New York/northern New Jersey area with their counterparts in those other locations.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy P. Shaughnessy of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
