CAMDEN, N.J. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - New Jersey), published as received.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County man today admitted illegally possessing eight firearms, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced.

Kareem McCargo, 38, of Camden, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court.

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

On Oct. 31, 2018, Camden County Police officers encountered McCargo as he exited his vehicle. Upon seeing the officers, McCargo fled, but was ultimately apprehended. A search of McCargo’s vehicle revealed eight firearms and over 400 rounds of ammunition. McCargo admitted to knowingly possessing all eight firearms and ammunition. He further admitted that at the time he possessed these firearms, he knew that he was a convicted felon.

The charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2021.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai; and the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. She also thanked the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha K. Nye of the of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.