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

NEWARK, N.J.  – Three Essex County, New Jersey, men have been charged in connection with possessing five firearms and distributing, and possessing with the intent to distribute, controlled substances in Orange, East Orange, and Newark, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Myron Fulton, 29, of East Orange, is charged by complaint with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Joshua Baltimore, aka “Ab,” 29, of Newark, and Azmar Carter, aka “Bizzy,” 29, of East Orange, are each charged by complaint with distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Carter is also charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Fulton appeared by videoconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer and was released on $100,000 bond. Carter and Baltimore appeared by videoconference on Aug. 18, 2021, before Judge Hammer and were detained.

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

The “135 Piru” set of the Bloods street gang operates primarily around Orange and distributes a large quantity of narcotics throughout Essex County. Baltimore, Carter and Fulton are self-admitted members of the 135 Piru set.

On June 30, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Fulton’s car and recovered a firearm and a high-capacity magazine that contained 33 rounds of ammunition.  Fulton is not permitted to possess a firearm and ammunition based on prior convictions for firearm possession and aggravated assault.

On Aug. 18, 2021, during lawful searches of their respective residences and cars, law enforcement officers recovered the following items: a loaded 9 millimeter pistol; a loaded .40 caliber pistol; a Draco AK 47 pistol and 48 rounds of associated ammunition; a loaded Smith and Wesson AR pistol and 27 rounds of associated ammunition; 479 grams of suspected heroin; 16.4 grams of suspected cocaine base; and $18,632.

The count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The narcotics counts carry a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a fine of $2 million. The counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carry a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison.  Each firearm count carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; members of the Orange Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Todd Warren; members of the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Giacomo Sacca and Police Director Earl J. Graves; members of the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis Bindi; and members of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara, with the investigation leading to the charges.

This case is part of Operation Orange, which is a part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), which was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Parole, Union County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, N.J. Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, the Orange Police Department and the Irvington Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

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