June 14, 2019
Newark Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Unlawful Possession of a Handgun
Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Dashon Ross, 35, of Newark was sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court. Under the Graves Act, Ross must serve 5 years before he is eligible for parole.
On Feb. 25, 2016, Ross was wanted by State Police for discarding a loaded 9mm handgun inside the Super Plaza bodega located at 408 Elizabeth Avenue in Newark. On the following day, State Police located Ross in the vicinity of Hillside and Clinton Avenues and attempted to place him under arrest. After a brief foot pursuit, State Police apprehended Ross. At the time of the arrest he was in possession of 27 wax folds of heroin.
During the first trial on October 31, 2018, an Essex County jury returned a partial verdict on two of five counts and found Ross guilty of possession of heroin and resisting arrest by fleeing. On March 21, 2019, Ross was retried on the remaining counts and a jury convicted Ross of unlawful possession of a handgun, tampering with physical evidence, and being a convicted felon with a weapon.
Ross had six prior felony convictions for unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, possession of narcotics in a school zone, and multiple counts of possession of a control dangerous substance with intent to distribute.
Assistant Prosecutor Donato D’Angelo, who tried both cases, urged the judge to impose an extended term of imprisonment on Ross because of his extensive criminal record. Judge Sivilli granted the State’s application for an extended term sentence.
“This sentence sends a strong message to those engaging in this type of conduct that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Assistant Prosecutor D’Angelo.
