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Elijah Harris, 24, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a handgun while engaged in drug distribution conduct on Monday, July 31, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
In exchange for Harris’ plea, the State agreed to recommend a sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
Harris was arrested on May 27, 2022 on Florida Avenue in Atlantic City. During his guilty plea, Harris admitted that he possessed a handgun in his backpack while possessing drugs with the intent to distribute them, the prosecutor said.
Harris’ co-defendant, Xavier Martin, was arrested as part of the same investigation and he was sentenced to state prison on a separate handgun charge earlier this year.
The case was investigated by the Atlantic City Police Department Vice Unit and prosecuted by the Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Unit of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 11.
Harris will remain in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending sentencing.
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