October 29, 2002

PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS INDICTMENTS RETURNED BY MERCER COUNTY GRAND JURY 

Trenton, NJ—Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto today  announced that the newly formed Project Safe Neighborhoods Unit presented two of its targets to a Mercer County Grand Jury resulting in the following indictments: 

Lamar Campbell, age 23, of the 500 block of Monmouth Street, Trenton, was indicted for the unlawful possession of a handgun (3^rd degree), theft by receiving stolen property (3^rd degree) and convicted person in possession of a firearm (2^nd degree).  Campbell was arrested by bail enforcement agents on September 11, 2002 on an outstanding warrant and found to be in possession of a loaded Glock 9mm handgun.  Assistant Prosecutor Tom Eschelman presented the case to the grand jury. 

Lakiah Robinson, age 25, of the 200 block of East Hanover Street, Trenton, was indicted for the unlawful possession of a handgun (3^rd degree) for an incident occurring on October 1, 2002.  Officers received information from a concerned citizen and subsequently discovered that Robinson was in possession of a Smith and Wesson .32 caliber revolver.  She is also facing a violation of probation charge.  The case was presented by Assistant Prosecutor Michelle Gasparian. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods is the new federal initiative to reduce gun violence throughout the United States, Giaquinto said. 

“It was decided to prosecute these matters at the state rather than the federal level.  Whether it is a state or federal prosecution, there will be hard time for gun crime in Mercer County,” said Giaquinto. 

Despite having been charged with a crime, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.