Essex County, New Jersey, Man Gets 108 Months In Prison For Crack-Cocaine Distribution

NEWARK, N.J. – An Irvington, New Jersey, man who distributed multiple kilograms of crack-cocaine and powder cocaine was sentenced today to 108 months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Antonio Bivens, a/k/a “Mo,” 44, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack-cocaine. Judge Hayden imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

Bivens was a member of a drug trafficking organization supervised by Kenneth Hammond, a/k/a “Saleem,” 49, also of Irvington. Bivens distributed multiple kilograms of crack-cocaine and powder cocaine out of two residences owned by Hammond in Irvington. In November 2015, law enforcement officers raided the residences and seized approximately two kilograms of crack-cocaine and 12 kilograms of powder cocaine.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Hayden sentenced Bivens to four years of supervised release. Hammond previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced on June 21, 2017 to 108 months in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barry A. Kamar and Elaine K. Lou of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Brian Neary Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey