Crime & Safety
Man Accused Of Having AK-47, 8k Cocaine Jailed Until Trial
Rasheed Sanders, 37, of East Orange, was arrested as part of the Operation Heading Back and had sought to be released to await trial.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — After nearly two weeks of legal wrangling, an East Orange man has been ordered held until trial after authorities say he was found in possession of a loaded AK-47 and nearly 9 kilograms of cocaine during the execution of a search warrant that later was revealed to be part of a massive drug network bust.
Rasheed Sanders, 37, of East Orange, was ordered to be held in jail until trial by Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels in Ocean County on Monday, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato announced Tuesday.
Sanders was arrested Feb. 17, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office. He initially was charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute in connection with the cocaine and second-degree possession of a firearm while committing a CDS offense ( for the loaded AK-47), and possession of paraphernalia, which is a disorderly persons offense.
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Daniels' initial ruling was to release Sanders, a move the prosecutor's office fought. A stay was granted on March 2 by the state appellate court, which planned to review Daniels' ruling.
On March 2, Sanders was charged additionally with fourth-degree certain persons not to possess weapons and possession of an assault weapon, Della Fave said.
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Daniels had been expected to rule again last Wednesday, but the nor'easter that dumped as much as 2 feet of snow in some parts of the state resulted in the closure of the state courts and the postponement of the hearing to Monday.
On Friday, the prosecutor's office announced Operation Heading Back and revealed was Sanders among those accused of being part of the massive drug-dealing network that had tendrils in seven counties.
On Monday, Assistant Prosecutor Jamie L. Schron presented critical details supporting OCPO’s position that Sanders be detained, which ultimately led to Judge Daniels’ final ruling, Della Fave said. The initial appeal has been withdrawn as a result, he said.
Photo of Rasheed Sanders via Ocean County Prosecutor's Office
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