The attorney for New York Jets football player Mike Goodson has stated that another man, Garant Evans, claimed ownership of a handgun found in a vehicle occupied by Mr. Goodson.
Last month, Mr. Goodson and Mr. Evans were arrested for unlawful possession of a handgun and marijuana possession after the two (2) men were found intoxicated in an SUV on Route 80 in Denville. After taking the men by ambulance to the hospital, Netcong police officers found marijuana and a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle.
According to state police, initially both men denied ownership of the gun. However, a copy of the police report, which was recently obtained by Mr. Goodson’s lawyer, indicates that on the night of the arrest Mr. Evans confessed to owning the weapon.
The penalties for illegal possession of a handgun in New Jersey are laid out in N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b). If convicted under this statute, Mr. Goodson and/or Mr. Evans could be sentenced to as many as 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. A typical plea deal in a second degree illegal handgun possession case would still result in a minimum sentence of three (3) to five (5) years in state prison.
At this time, police officially state that ownership of the handgun is still under investigation. Mr. Goodson is due to appear in Morris County Superior Court in Morristown, NJ on June 12.
For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “Co-Defendant in Mike Goodson Case Claims Ownership of Hand Gun, Lawyer Says.“