EAST WINDSOR: Weapons charges follow initial arrests

By Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
    A 20-year-old East Windsor man was charged this week with possession of an illegal gun and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in a school zone.
    Amoie Smith, 20, of Chestnut Willow Apartments, was arrested at his home Tuesday for allegedly possessing a pistol-grip shotgun with a filed-off serial number, as well as numerous baggies of marijuana.
    Police said they observed Mr. Smith on Monday sitting in the driver’s seat of his car outside the G building at the Windsor Castle Apartments. Police said Trayle Beasley, 28, of Hamilton, was in the passenger’s seat and Dennis Singleton, 29, of the Westerlea Arms Apartments, and Terek Harper, 24, of the Windsor Regency Apartments were standing outside the vehicle.
    Police said they instructed the men to remain where they were, when Mr. Smith drove away recklessly at a high rate of speed. Mr. Harper took off on foot, while Mr. Singleton remained at the scene but refused to cooperate, police said.
    Police said Mr. Harper was chased down after a short distance and Mr. Smith was stopped on Dorchester Drive. A search of the vehicle discovered marijuana, and Mr. Beasley was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and released. Mr. Smith was charged with hindering apprehension, obstructing police, driving on a suspended license and careless driving. He was soon released.
    Mr. Harper was charged with obstructing police and found to have active warrants in Trenton and Ewing Township. Mr. Singleton was charged with disorderly conduct and released.
    However, after the initial arrests police said they learned that Mr. Smith and Mr. Beasley had been in possession of a shotgun at the time of their arrest. Police said a search of Mr. Smith’s residence found the shotgun, ammunition, baggies of marijuana and marijuana packing materials for distribution.
    Mr. Smith was then charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced weapon (serial number ground off), possession of marijuana under 50 grams with intent to distribute in a school zone, possession of narcotic paraphernalia. He was released later Tuesday after posting 10 percent of his $10,000 bail.
    Police said they also found evidence that Mr. Beasley had been in possession of the gun as well, and he was arrested later Tuesday by Trenton police and charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, possession of a defaces weapon, certain people not to possess a weapon, hindering apprehension and obstructing police.
    Mr. Beasley remained Thursday in the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell on $25,000 bail.