Atlantic City, NJ, Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges

An Atlantic City man has pleaded guilty to gun-related charges and now faces eight years behind bars.

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The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office says on Tuesday, 53-year-old Joaquin DeJesus pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms in exchange for an eight-year term in state prison with a five-year period of parole ineligibility.

According to authorities, on October 29, 2021, the Atlantic City Police Department executed a search warrant at an apartment at 21 South Mansion Avenue. Inside they located DeJesus and,

$1,200
Approximately 38 clear plastic baggies containing cocaine
A rifle bag containing an AM-15 rifle packaged in parts with extended magazines
A bag containing a Colt .38 Special revolver loaded with six rounds of .38 ballpoint ammunition
A bag containing a handgun box which had a Beretta 9mm model .92 with two magazines, one with 15 rounds of hollow point ammunition and one with 15 rounds of ball ammunition
A bag containing an MP UZI 9mm with an extended magazine

On May 10th of last year following a plea agreement involving that case, DeJesus was released from jail over objections from the State.

On August 16, 2022, before DeJesus could return for his sentencing, members of the Atlantic City Police Department executed another search warrant at Room 1039 at the Sheraton Hotel in Atlantic City. Prior to execution, the target of the investigation, DeJesus, exited the hotel and was subsequently stopped entering his vehicle.

DeJesus was placed in custody and was found in possession of cocaine packaged for distribution.

ACPD SWAT Team members then executed a search warrant on that hotel room and inside found a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm handgun, cocaine, and over $7,500.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 23rd.