Convicted Criminal From Berkeley Admits Having Illegal Gun

BERKELEY, NJ — A Berkeley Township man admitted to having a gun in the backseat of his car when he was pulled over for a traffic stop - a gun that he wasn't supposed to have due to a previous conviction for aggravated assault, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Charles Coley, 39, ran through a traffic light near Route 70 and Route 571 in Manchester on June 11, 2023, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Manchester cops pulled him over, and when they did, they saw the barrel of a handgun on the floor in the backseat of Coley's Honda, Billhimer said.

The gun, a 9mm handgun, was loaded, Billhimer said.

Coley was then taken to Ocean County Jail and released due to bail reform.

Investigation found that Coley had a previous conviction for aggravated assault and therefore legally was not allowed to have a gun, Billhimer said.

He pleaded guilty to being a certain person not to possess a handgun on Nov. 18, Billhimer said.

Coley's sentencing is set for Feb. 7, 2025, where the state will seek a sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison.