Feb. 18, 2000 

UNDERCOVER OPERATION NETS ARRESTS AND WEAPONS 

      TRENTON -- A four-month undercover investigation led by the Special Investigations Unit of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has resulted in three arrests and also led to the seizure of a cache of firearms including three illegal assault weapons that were destined for the street, Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced today.

      “This was an important investigation. The possession of illegal, high-powered weapons puts everyone at risk. It is a priority of this office to continue its proactive approach to get these weapons off the street,” Giaquinto said.

      An arrest warrant has also been issued for the alleged firearms supplier, Deshawn Alfred (DOB 3/22/74), formerly of the 700 block of Stuyvesant Avenue, Trenton, who now lives in Columbus, Ohio. Officers raided his former Trenton residence on Feb. 4 at about 12:15 p.m., seizing a .320-caliber semiautomatic handgun. Alfred faces state and federal charges, Giaquinto said.

      The investigation began in October after officers received information that a Trenton man, Kevin “Radio Raheem” Barnes (DOB 1/20/71), of the first block of Fowler Street, was selling firearms illegally in the city, Giaquinto said.

      As a result of the ensuing undercover investigation, officers allegedly purchased weapons from Barnes, Robert “CoCoa” Negron (DOB 6/29/70), of the 100 block of Calhoun Street, and Alfred’s aunt, Gloria Alfred (DOB 12/20/56), formerly of the 700 block of Stuyvesant Avenue, Trenton. Investigators followed the gun trail to Deshawn Alfred, and allegedly made undercover gun buys from him.

      Barnes and Negron were arrested in Trenton following the raid, while Gloria Alfred was arrested the same day at a Bordentown Township motel. Negron posted bail then failed to appear in court and is being sought as a fugitive, while Barnes and Gloria Alfred remain incarcerated.

      According to investigators, Barnes placed the gun order with Deshawn Alfred who then brought the weapons into Trenton from Ohio.

      Officers allegedly purchased a Tec-9 assault weapon, 30-round magazine and a 9mm semiautomatic handgun from Deshawn Alfred; a Tec-9 assault weapon and a 30-round magazine, a .45-caliber handgun from Negron; a Tec-9 assault weapon and a 9mm semiautomatic handgun from Barnes; and a Tec-9 assault weapon and a 30-round magazine from Gloria Alfred. All of the weapons were new, even including packaging material and owner’s manuals, but the serial numbers on all of the firearms had been defaced, Giaquinto said.

      Those arrested and Deshawn Alfred face multiple gun possession and sale charges. All of the suspects, except Gloria Alfred, face federal charges that could lead to 15 to 30 years in prison.

      Members of SIU, led by Lt. Al Paglione, were assisted in the investigation by the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as well as members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, including officers from Hamilton, West Windsor, Lawrence and Trenton.

      The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information is asked to call (609) 989-6411.

     Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.