Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NEWARK, N.J. – A Jersey City man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for offenses related to the possession of two firearms and fentanyl trafficking, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Tyreek Martin, a/k/a “Reek,” 35, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John M. Vazquez to an information charging him with possession of firearms by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Judge Vazquez imposed the sentence today by videoconference.

Marcus Haggan, 45, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty on July 22, 2020, before Judge Vazquez to an information charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23, 2020.

Wyheim Hicks, 26, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty on Sept. 14, 2020, before Judge Vazquez to an information charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2021.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On the morning of Feb. 9, 2019, Jersey City Police Department officers were conducting surveillance of Martin’s residence when they observed Martin exit from the side basement door. He walked to the front of the residence and placed packages of drugs in a garbage can and then walked to the front steps of the residence.

The officers observed Haggan and Hicks walk towards Martin’s residence. Haggan retrieved the drugs from the garbage can and gave some to Hicks. Haggan and Hicks walked off in separate directions while Martin went back into his residence. Based on their observations of the illegal drug transaction, the officers stopped and arrested Haggan and Hicks. Hicks was in possession of approximately 250 glassine bags of suspected heroin with the label “HELL RAISER.” Haggan was in possession of approximately 350 glassine bags of suspected heroin, also with the label “HELL RAISER.”

Later that day, the officers observed Martin exit his residence and placed him under arrest. During a search of Martin’s residence, the officers found eight bricks of suspected heroin wrapped in magazine paper, approximately 400 glassine bags of suspected heroin with the label “HELL RAISER,” and 13 bundles of approximately 130 glassine bags of suspected heroin with the label “G FUNK.” They also found approximately $3,350 in U.S. currency. Subsequent laboratory testing of the seized drugs confirmed that the drugs consisted of substances containing fentanyl and heroin. The officers also recovered two firearms – a Taurus 44 Magnum revolver and a Bersa .380 caliber handgun – and approximately 90 rounds of ammunition. Prior to Feb. 9, 2019, Martin had at least one felony conviction, including a conviction in Superior Court, Hudson County, on Nov. 2, 2018, for distributing controlled dangerous substances, making it illegal for him to possess firearms. 

In addition to the prison term, Martin was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark, and members of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Amore of the Government Fraud Unit in Newark.

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