TRENTON –Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that a Linden man pleaded guilty today to weapons charges for selling two assault rifles, an assault pistol, and a revolver to an undercover detective and an informant in a weapons trafficking investigation by the New Jersey State Police.

Andre Doss, 31, of Linden, pleaded guilty today before Superior Court Judge Stuart L. Peim in Union County, to second-degree counts of conspiracy, unlawful possession of two assault firearms, and unlawful possession of a revolver, as well as third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.  He also pleaded guilty to a second-degree charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, MDPV, a drug known as “bath salts,” and a third-degree charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, 5-Methoxy-diisopropyltryptamine, a drug known as “foxy.”  Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Doss be sentenced to 10 years in prison, including five years of parole ineligibility.  Doss is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15.

In pleading guilty, Doss admitted that in July and August 2011, he arranged and, with the help of co-defendant Duquan Wells, completed sales of an ITM Arms Co. semi-automatic rifle, a Tula Arsenal fully automatic rifle with large-capacity magazine, and a .22-caliber revolver. The guns were sold to an undercover detective of the New Jersey State Police.  Doss also admitted that he sold a Cobray MAC-11 9mm assault pistol to an informant working with the State Police.

Deputy Attorney General Betty Rodriguez prosecuted the case and took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau.

“By indiscriminately selling deadly assault weapons on the street, criminals like this defendant contribute to the many shootings and murders we see in our urban centers,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “We’ve stepped up our efforts to seize these guns and send gun traffickers to prison.”

“This man is one of 57 defendants we indicted last year in conjunction with the State Police on charges of trafficking and possessing illegal guns,” said Director Stephen J. Taylor of the Division of Criminal Justice.  “We’re hitting these defendants with the full force of our tough gun laws.”

On Dec. 10, Doss’ co-defendant, Wells, 31, of Linden, pleaded guilty before Judge Peim to second-degree conspiracy and weapons charges. Wells admitted that he delivered the two assault rifles and the revolver to the purchaser after Doss arranged the sales.  He also pleaded guilty to a second-degree charge of conspiracy to distribute MDPV.  Under his plea agreement, the state will recommend that Wells be sentenced to five years in state prison, including three years of parole ineligibility.  Judge Peim scheduled sentencing for Wells for March 15.

###