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North Arlington NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of JALEEL SPELLER (DOB: 05/09/1993; single; unemployed) of 930 18TH Street, Newport News, VA; QUANTESA WADE (DOB: 03/01/1992; single; unemployed) of 25 South 17th Street, East Orange, NJ; ALICIA TORRES (DOB: 05/09/1985; single; unemployed) of 244 Chadwick Avenue, Newark, NJ; and LARRY HARRIS (DOB: 09/08/1969; single; unemployed) of 292 South 20th Street, Newark, NJ on drug and gun-related offenses. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.
On January 15, 2020, an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force revealed that JALEEL SPELLER, QUANTESA WADE, ALICIA TORRES, and LARRY HARRIS were involved in a conspiracy to distribute thirty pounds of Marijuana in North Arlington, NJ. During a motor vehicle stop in North Arlington, NJ, of a vehicle operated by LARRY HARRIS and also occupied by JALEEL SPELLER, QUANTESA WADE, and ALICIA TORRES, a consent search of the vehicle yielded a stolen, loaded 45-caliber 1911 “Paraordnance” handgun. QUANTESA WADE was also found to be in possession of a small amount of Marijuana. JALEEL SPELLER, QUANTESA WADE, ALICIA TORRES, and LARRY HARRIS were arrested at the scene.
JALEEL SPELLER, ALICIA TORRES, and LARRY HARRIS were each charged with one count of Possession Of A Handgun For An Unlawful Purpose, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), a 2nd degree crime; one count of Unlawful Possession Of A Handgun Without Having Obtained The Permit To Carry Same, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Being A Certain Person Not To Possess Firearm Because Of A Prior Conviction, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b(1), a 2nd degree crime; one count of Being In Possession Of A Firearm During The Commission Of A Crime Of Conspiracy To Distribute Marijuana, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Conspiracy To Distribute Marijuana In Excess Of 25 lbs., in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/2C:35-5b(10)(a), a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Receiving Stolen Property, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a, a 3rd degree crime.
QUANTESA WADE was charged with one count of Possession Of A Handgun For An Unlawful Purpose, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1), a 2nd degree crime; one count of Unlawful Possession Of A Handgun Without Having Obtained The Permit To Carry Same, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Conspiracy To Distribute Marijuana In Excess Of 25 lbs., in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2/ 2C:35-5b(10)(a), a 2nd degree crime; one count of Being In Possession Of A Firearm During The Commission Of A Crime Of Conspiracy To Distribute Marijuana, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a, a 2nd degree crime; one count of Receiving Stolen Property, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7a, a 3rd degree crime; and one count of Possession Of Marijuana Under 50 Grams, a disorderly persons offense.
JALEEL SPELLER, QUANTESA WADE, ALICIA TORRES, and LARRY HARRIS were remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending their first appearances in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Mark Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and he would like to thank the North Arlington Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.
