Neptune Man Sentenced To Eight Years Must Serve Five
Handgun Possession Tip Led To 2015 Arrest After Suspect Tripped
A Neptune man was sentenced to eight years for drug and weapon possession, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced via a news statement.
Salik Hinton, 29, of Neptune, was charged with the third degree crime of possessing a controlled dangerous substance, second degree unlawfully possessing a handgun, and the second degree crime of being a certain person not to possess a handgun. Hinton’s prior criminal record prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm.
Hinton’s conviction was the result of tip the Asbury Park Police Department received about a person matching Hinton’s description being in possession of a handgun. He was located just after midnight in the area of the Asbury Park Garden Complex on Atlantic Avenue.
Spokesman Chris Swendeman said it was due to the quick actions of an Asbury Park Police officer, who spotted the suspect on August 18, 2015.
“The officer attempted to speak with Hinton, who began to run,” Swendeman said. “Hinton eventually tripped and fell, and as he did so, a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun and multiple prescription drugs fell from his pocket and were quickly secured by the officer.”
The sentence was handed down by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr. following a two week jury trial, which concluded with a guilty verdict on January 18. Falcetano ordered Hinton to serve years before becoming eligible for parole.
The trial was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin Sidley, and Hinton was represented by Sarah Surgent of Freehold.
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