Absecon Man Pleads Guilty To Drug, Weapons Possession Charges

CAMDEN, NJ — A 35-year-old Absecon man on Tuesday pleaded guilty to possessing large quantities of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine along with a firearm, which he is prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey announced.

Joseph Brandenberger entered the guilty plea by video conference Tuesday after he was charged with possessing the narcotics with the intent to distribute. According to a news release, Brandenberger was arrested and charged with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in addition to the weapons charge, authorities said.

Brandenberger was arrested last year after an investigation revealed that he rented a large storage unit to conceal what the U.S. Attorney’s Office characterized as a large cache of drugs in addition to the gun. After obtaining a search warrant and executing the search of the storage unit in June 2019, the Atlantic County man was found to have stored 507 grams of heroin, 524 grams of cocaine and 107 grams of methamphetamine at the site, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. Investigators also found $1,812 in cash, drug packaging materials and a loaded 9 mm handgun. As a convicted felon, Brandenberger is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The drug charges carry a sentence of a prison sentence between 5 and 40 years and a $5 million fine. The firearm charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Brandenberger is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 26, 2021.