Trenton Man Charged With Narcotics and Guns Suspected of Dog Fighting

A Trenton man has been charged with narcotics trafficking and gun possession, and is suspected of participating in a dog fighting network after he was discovered in possession of10 pit bulls, Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler announced Monday afternoon.

Maurice B. Ford, 26, was charged with the following offenses: possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of crack-cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 500 feet of the Rutherford Avenue Playground, possession of drug paraphernalia, was charged with two counts of possession of a handgun during a CDS offense, two counts of certain person not to possess a handgun, and possession of hollow point bullets.

Ford was arrested on Friday following a joint investigation of a home on the 200 block of Rosemont Avenue in Trenton, conducted by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and U. S. Marshals Service Counter Gang Unit and NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Ford was found at the Rosemont Avenue residence following an active investigation. Detectives executed a search warrant and found two handguns: A Glock .40 caliber with hollow-point bullets and an Automatica Espanola .25 caliber, in addition to a small amount of crack-cocaine, approximately 16 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Ford was also in possession of $440 in cash – alleged drug proceeds, which was seized. Trenton Animal Control took four adult pit bulls from the residence along with six pit bull puppies.

Police suspect that Ford was involved with illegal dogfighting, as two of the adult canines had injuries indicative of fighting.

“I am grateful for the joint work of the US Marshals Service and our Sheriff’s Detectives to take illegal guns and drugs off of our city streets,” Kemler said. “We are also grateful to the Trenton Animal Control officers for their efforts come to the rescue and aide of the dogs.”

Ford is lodged in the Mercer County Correction Center on $100,000 bail. The dogs are being housed and cared for at Trenton Animal Control.