MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – A Passaic County man who was charged last year for operating a drug trafficking network has been sentenced to state prison.
Prentice R. Melton, 49, of Clifton, NJ was sentenced Friday to 8 years in state prison and is required to serve 48 months before being considered for parole, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said.
On October 24, 2016, Melton entered guilty pleas to second degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine and second degree conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances. As part of the plea agreement, Mr. Melton forfeited $22,000 in United States currency, Knapp said.
In January 2016, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Enforcement Unit/Narcotics Task Force, developed intelligence that Melton was supplying a significant amount of heroin and cocaine to George Washington and Ronald Washington, who reside in Morris County and have already been prosecuted by this Office for their involvement. The imported cocaine and heroin was sold in Morristown, Victory Gardens, Dover, and surrounding areas. The three month investigation culminated in March 2016, with the arrest of Melton and 24 other individuals, Knapp said.
The execution of several search warrants resulted in the seizure of 55 grams of cocaine, 1,400 individual folds of heroin, over $33,500 in United States currency, various packaging and drug distribution-related materials, handgun ammunition, and 11 motor vehicles. Mr. Melton is the last defendant sentenced of the 25 arrested in connection with the investigation, Knapp said,
“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute for-profit drug dealers. The sentence imposed today by the Court will hopefully deter those who currently engage in such similar criminal activity, and those who are considering this unlawful practice,” Knapp said.
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
