New Jersey man with ties to street gang convicted for firearms trafficking in West Virginia

CLARKSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Hackensack, New Jersey, man has been convicted on federal firearms charges, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced Thursday.

Kadir Reeves, 40, was found guilty of two counts of aiding and abetting a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms.

The jury heard evidence that Reeves conspired with another defendant to have others purchase and transport firearms to New Jersey.

Reeves, who has ties to street gangs in the area, was linked to one firearm that was recovered after shots were fired at a high school football game in Jersey City.

“West Virginia is a source state for firearms that are used to commit crimes in other parts of the country,” U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld stated. “We’ll continue to crack down on all those who unlawfully obtain guns here, especially when they’re used to engage in violence.”

Three other defendants from Morgantown, West Virginia—Curtis Neal, 46; Kareem Neal, 43; and Bukiye Hatten, 41—have pleaded guilty to related firearms charges and are awaiting sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zelda Wesley and Christie Utt, with the investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided over the trial.