A man from Mercer County, New Jersey, has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Jose Colon-Matos, aged 33, from Trenton, faces charges including being a felon in possession of two firearms, possessing fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni on January 6, 2025, in Trenton federal court and is detained pending a hearing set for January 10, 2025.
Court documents reveal that on May 15, 2024, law enforcement conducted a search at an apartment used by Colon-Matos in Hamilton Township. Officers found two loaded firearms in a safe—one with an obliterated serial number—alongside distribution quantities of suspected fentanyl and cocaine and approximately $9,000 in cash. The substances tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine at the New Jersey State Police forensic laboratory.
The charge for being a felon with a firearm could lead to up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Charges for possession with intent to distribute carry potential penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment each and fines up to $1 million each. Possession of a firearm related to drug trafficking mandates at least five years imprisonment consecutively with other sentences, potentially leading to life imprisonment and fines up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the FBI's special agents under Acting Special Agent Brian Driscoll's direction in Newark for their investigative work leading to these charges. Appreciation was also extended to the Hamilton Township Police Division led by Chief Kenneth R. DeBoskey and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick from the Criminal Division in Trenton represents the government in this case.
"The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations," noted the release; "the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
Defense counsel is Andrea G. Aldana from the Office of the Federal Public Defender.