An Ocean County man has been sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for drug and weapons charges, as announced by U.S. Attorney John Giordano. The individual, Masta Redding, 38, based in Toms River, New Jersey, will serve 151 months following a guilty plea. The charges included possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Court documents detailed that on March 5, 2020, Redding had cocaine intended for distribution on his person and in his residence. He also possessed a loaded Jimenez Arms pistol despite being a convicted felon. Redding admitted to later paying someone to falsely claim ownership of the cocaine and firearm.
In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams mandated three years of supervised release and the forfeiture of the weapon and ammunition.
U.S. Attorney Giordano acknowledged the efforts of special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr., and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office under Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, for their roles in the investigation. Additional support was provided by the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, and the Asbury Park Police Department.
The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. Belgiovine and Elisa T. Wiygul from the Criminal Division in Trenton and Camden. Redding's defense counsel was Jonathan Sobel from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.