Passaic Co. Man Convicted Of Federal Firearms, Narcotics Charges

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County man was convicted of firearms and narcotics offenses following a three-day trial, the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey announced last week.

David Reams, 37, of Paterson, was convicted by a federal jury on Jan. 27. The conviction was for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements, Paterson Police Department officers observed Reams on May 6, 2024, noticing that his "movements were consistent with possessing a firearm."

When detectives attempted to stop Reams, he unsuccessfully tried to run away.

Detectives ultimately recovered a 9-millimeter pistol, which was loaded with an extended magazine, from Reams. They also found over 450 individual doses of fentanyl and crack cocaine on his person.

The charge of felon in possession carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence. This charge has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

He is scheduled for sentencing on June 30.

Reams had a previous conviction in 2017 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. That conviction was also for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Chesler had sentenced him to serve 103 months of imprisonment for that offense.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that uses Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime perpetrators.