Newark Gang Member 1st Convicted Under New State Gun Law: Prosecutor

Newark, NJ - A reputed gang member from Newark is the first person to be convicted under a new state gun law that imposes stiffer penalties on repeat offenders, authorities announced on Tuesday.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Alexis Canadas, 36, of Newark was convicted of first degree unlawful possession of weapon by a convicted felon.

Under the New Jersey law, which was passed in August of 2013, Canadas is facing life in state prison when he is sentenced on April 8, prosecutors stated.

In addition to the first degree offense, Canadas, a reputed ranking member of the Sex, Money, Murder sect of the Bloods gang, was also convicted of second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and the fourth degree offense of defacing a firearm.

Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Lanni, who tried the case, said the conviction is believed to be the first under the new tougher law.

Canadas has 16 prior felony convictions including three aggravated assaults for shootings and multiple drug possession and distribution offenses.

The most recent conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on Aug. 16, 2014. During the incident, Canadas was stopped in a silver Acura on Park Avenue in Newark. One officer saw a silver handgun on the floor of the driver’s seat as she approached the vehicle.

Canadas was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and related offenses. He was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility.

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