Plea came after authorities used undercover buys, recorded deals
The justice statue outside the Newark Federal Courts building in Newark, NJ May 16, 2012 (File photo)
Lamont Vaughn, also known as "Mont" and "True V," pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, oxycodone and being a convicted felon in possession of a gun, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said in a statement.
Under a plea agreement, Vaughn, 33, will be sentenced Oct. 5 to 65 months in prison and up to five years of supervised release, Fishman's office added.
Vaughn and others peddled the drugs out of a shop called Ballas Boutique, according to prosecutors. A confidential source made more than 35 undercover drug buys as part of the probe, including many transactions that were captured on audio and video.
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Investigators also intercepted Vaughn's communications, which showed he was working with other employees to sell drugs from the shop, prosecutors said.
"The intercepted conversations further revealed that Vaughn had multiple, established sources of supply for heroin and oxycodone," the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
The drug conspiracy lasted between August 2012 and Aug. 7, 2013, when law enforcement agents raided the business and Vaughn's home in the city. Authorities said they discovered a large amount of cash, dozens of oxycodone pills and two guns in his bedroom.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.