Dec. 14, 2016
Man Convicted of Illegal Possession of a Gun
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Braulio A. Lopez, 20, of Newark was convicted of illegal possession of a weapon following a trial before the Honorable John Gizzo, Judge of the Superior Court.
At approximately 9:50 p.m. on May 7, 2015 Lopez was observed by officers in the vicinity of Broadway and Elwood Avenues in Newark riding in a vehicle without headlights. The officers pulled the vehicle over in the 100 block of Lincoln Avenue.
Lopez, who was a passenger, appeared to be rapidly trying to conceal something, possibly a weapon. Consequently, the officer asked him to exit the car. When Lopez was asked to turn around and face the officer, a .38 special black handgun fell to the ground.
Lopez was charged with illegal possession of a weapon. On Monday, a jury convicted Lopez.
The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutor Donovan Cho and Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Olivera.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2017. Lopez is facing 10 years in state prison with a five-year period of parole ineligibility.
