East Orange Convicted Felon Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Possessing Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

NEWARK, N.J. – An East Orange, New Jersey man was sentenced on July 24, 2025, to 120 months for possessing quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine he intended to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Ibraheem Muhammad, 41, of East Orange, New Jersey previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an Indictment charging him with one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Law enforcement investigated Muhammad for his drug distribution from an apartment in East Orange (the “Residence”).  On May 9, 2022, Muhammad was arrested on a warrant after law enforcement saw him exit the Residence and engage in a suspected drug transaction.  He was caught in possession of numerous envelopes of suspected heroin and keys to the Residence.  A subsequent search of the Residence revealed Muhammad to be in possession of controlled substances that subsequently lab tested positive for heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, and various glassine envelopes and other paraphernalia used for packaging drugs.  Law enforcement also recovered approximately $14,000 in cash; a Girsan 9mm semi-automatic handgun, loaded with fourteen (14) rounds of 9mm ammunition; and an additional fifteen (15) rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Muhammad to 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., Newark Field Division; and the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Maurice Boyd, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farhana C. Melo and Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

                                                                       ###

Defense counsel: Jacqueline Cistaro, Esq, New York, NY