Previously Convicted Felon Charged with Illegal Possession of Handgun and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl
CAMDEN, N.J. – A previously convicted felon will make his initial court appearance today on charges of illegal possession of a handgun and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Desmund M. Walker, 35, of Camden, is charged by complaint with one count of illegal possession of a handgun and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen M. Williams and was detained without bail.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On May 16, 2020, patrol officers from the Camden County Police Department – Metro Division encountered Walker in the vicinity of South 8th and Thurman streets in Camden. Walker fled from the officers, discarding a fully loaded Rohm, model RG10, .22 caliber revolver and cellular telephone as he scaled a fence and fled through Robert B. Johnson Park. Walker is a convicted felon and not permitted to possess a handgun under federal law. Walker was apprehended and found to be in possession of 0.19 grams of fentanyl wrapped in 93 white wax folds.
The maximum penalty for illegal possession of the firearm is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The maximum penalty for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson, Newark Field Division, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. U.S. Attorney Carpenito also thanked the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph D. Wysocki, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Vondra Carrig of the Criminal Division in Camden.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###
