19-Year Old-Pleasantville Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of Handgun

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On January 17, 2023, Jonathan Valentine, 19, of Pleasantville pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, in exchange for a three-year term in New Jersey State Prison, with a one-year period of parole ineligibility, following a plea agreement.

As part of the plea agreement, the defendant must also consent to forfeit the handgun, extended ammunition magazine, and cash seized.

Sentencing will be on February 28, 2023, before the Honorable Bernard E. DeLury, Jr., P.J.Cr.

On June 17, 2022, Pleasantville Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Doughty Road and West Bayview Avenue in Pleasantville. While interacting with the driver, Mr. Valentine, police observed the muzzle of a black handgun.

The officer placed the defendant under arrest. A search revealed a 9mm Luger Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun with no serial number, cash, 2.25 ounces of marijuana, a digital scale, and empty Ziploc baggies commonly used to package narcotics for distribution.

These types of handguns are typically referred to as “ghost guns” because they are not traceable. The handgun was loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition inside a 17-round magazine.

Valentine was subsequently placed into custody.

Assistant Prosecutor David Little represented the State in this matter.