Posted by : Matthew Nazzaro  On August 4th, 2025 11:49 am

      

Four New Jersey residents were found to be in possession of three loaded firearms during a motor vehicle stop on Centennial Avenue at Myrtle Street on Saturday, August 2 ,2025.

At approximately 1:10 AM, Officer Rameil King stopped a silver 2013 Ford for an equipment violation in the area of Centennial Avenue and Myrtle Street.  Subsequently, Officer Jason Ingram was dispatched as Officer King’s backup.  During the motor vehicle investigation, Officer King located three loaded firearms.  The suspects, later identified as, Ruben Rivera, 32, of Orange, Javonna Jones, 32, of Somerset, Taquan Swan, 23, of Orange, and Jamel Willard, 29, of Hamilton were taken into custody without incident.

Recovered were a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special handgun, and a loaded Lorcin L 9mm semi-automatic handgun.  Additionally, Rivera was found to be in possession of a controlled dangerous substance (ecstasy).

Rivera was charged with two counts of 2^nd Degree possession of a Firearm, one count of 4^th degree possession of a high-capacity magazine, and one count of 3^rd Degree of possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Jones and Swan were charged with two counts of 2^nd Degree possession of a Firearm, and one count of 4^th degree possession of a high-capacity magazine.

Willard was charged with three counts of 2^nd Degree possession of a Firearm, one count of 2^nd Degree certain persons not to possess firearms, and one count of 4^th degree possession of a high-capacity magazine.

At the time of their arrest, Willard, Jones, Rivera, and Swan were committed to Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing. 

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Release by D/Sgt. Shayne Temple

S-Temple@CranfordNJ.Org / 908-709-4313