Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NEWARK, N.J. – A brother and sister from Plainfield, New Jersey, were indicted today on drug distribution, felony possession of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and other charges resulting from a violent encounter with law enforcement officers in October 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Arthur Forman, 35, is charged with possession of cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the course of committing a drug crime, and being a previously convicted felon in possession of a handgun. Courtney Jessica Forman, 30, is charged with misprision of a felony for taking acts to conceal Arthur Forman’s alleged crimes. Both defendants are charged with obstruction of justice. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Newark federal court at a later date.

According to the documents filed in this case:

During an encounter with law enforcement on Oct. 13, 2017, Forman allegedly resisted arrest by choking a Plainfield detective. During the encounter, Forman transferred a bag containing contraband to Courtney Jessica Forman, who attempted to dispose of the contraband by throwing it out a window. The bag was recovered by law enforcement officers from a nearby rooftop landing. Law enforcement officers recovered cocaine, marijuana, and a .38 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with eight rounds from the bag and multiple oxycodone pills from Arthur Forman’s apartment.

Based on the combined charges, Arthur Forman faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in prison. Courtney Jessica Forman faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the misprision charge and five years in prison for the obstruction of justice charge.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John Devito, the Plainfield Police Division, under the leadership of Director Carl Riley, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Michael Monahan, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Haber of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Healthcare Fraud Unit and Desiree Grace Latzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

###