2002-10-24 -- Geddes, Aaron -- Arraignment -- News Release

Two Men Arraigned on Gun Charges through the Federal Safe Neighborhoods Program

TRENTON - U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, along with Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto and Acting Trenton Police Chief Abraham Hemsey, announced that two previously convicted state felons were arraigned today, charged under tough federal gun statutes, which provide stiff prison sentences upon conviction.

Because both defendants had prior felony convictions in state court, they were eligible to be charged under the federal "felon-in-possession" statute. Specifically, the men were charged with possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

The defendants are being prosecuted under the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhood Program, which targets convicted felons who possess firearms. The applicable statute carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Under the Sentencing Guidelines, defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all of that time.

According to charges filed by the Trenton Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Bureau, on June 8, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Aaron Geddes, 31, was spotted by officers in what appeared to be an illegal drug transaction. As officers moved into investigate the defendant allegedly turned to walk away and reached for a Glock handgun in his waistband as officers attempted to stop him; officers struggled with the defendant to get control of the firearm.

In the second unrelated incident, Walter J. Owens, 25, was charged by the Trenton Police Department in connection with his possession of a Tec-9 handgun with a 30-round magazine. The charges allege that on Feb. 14, at approximately12:10 p.m., as Trenton Police were responding to a report of a man with a gun, a car matching the suspect vehicle description turned in front of the officers' cruiser and abruptly pulled over. Owens, a passenger in the vehicle, fled on foot, and as officers gave chase they allegedly spotted Owens discard the Tec-9 handgun and its ammunition magazine.

Christie credited the multi-agency task force approach with ensuring that dangerous felons are removed from the neighborhoods they prey upon.

"Task forces like the federally funded Project Safe Neighborhoods Program benefit public safety by enabling federal, state, county and local law enforcement the opportunity to collaborate and share their resources and expertise to positively impact the community," said Christie. "Our united goal is to get guns and those who may use them off the streets of our cities."

The defendants were arraigned before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper, who ordered them to be detained pending trial.

Christie noted that another advantage of charging gun crimes federally is that, under the federal Bail Reform Act, defendants are much more likely to be ordered detained pending the outcome of their cases.

An Indictment is a formal charge made by a grand jury, a body of 16 to 23 citizens. Grand jury proceedings are secret, and neither those under investigation nor their attorneys have a right to be present. A grand jury may vote an Indictment if 12 or more jurors find probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime or crimes charged. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Richardson of the U.S. Attorney's Criminal Division in Camden.

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Defense Attorneys:

Geddes: John Furlong, Esq. West Trenton

Owens: Dave E. Schafer, Esq. Federal Public Defender's Office - Trenton