United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – A two-month investigation into the distribution of narcotics from an Atlantic City apartment building has resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the recovery of multiple handguns and drugs. Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tynor, and Interim Officer-in-Charge of the Atlantic City Police Department James Sarkos jointly announced the results.

On January 13, 2021, members of the DEA Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section and SWAT Team executed simultaneous residential search warrants at two apartments within the Madison Hotel located in the 100-south block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.   

During the investigation, detectives recovered five handguns, 34 grams of heroin, 17 grams of cocaine, 310 grams of marijuana, and $1,000 in U.S. currency.  

“Those arrested during this operation were allegedly responsible for the distribution of heroin and other drugs in the Atlantic City area,” said Gibson. “Once again, the recovery of several handguns reinforces the premise that drugs and guns go hand-in-hand which leads to violence, and these arrests are proof of that which has made the community safer.  DEA’s participation in the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA Task Force reinforces our commitment to relentlessly pursue those who choose to bring drugs and violence to the streets of New Jersey.” 

“This investigation is indicative of the cooperative effort between our law enforcement partners to combat criminal activity in Atlantic City,” said James Sarkos. “The removal of multiple handguns and drugs from our streets makes our neighborhoods safer.  The Atlantic City Police Department is committed to working with all of our law enforcement partners; this investigation is a great example of the fruits of those relationships.”  

Arrested:  Edwin Jones, 35, of Atlantic City.
Charges:  Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS), possession with intent to distribute CDS, and possession with intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone.

Arrested:  James Mayes, 30, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ.
Charges:  Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of CDS (two counts), possession with intent to distribute CDS (two counts), and possession with intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone (two counts).

Arrested:  Whitley Molley, 32, of Atlantic City.
Charges:  Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of CDS (two counts), possession with intent to distribute CDS (two counts), and possession with intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone (two counts).

Arrested:  John Sessoms, 36, of Atlantic City.
Charges:  Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS, and possession with intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone.

All four individuals were remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.  Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.