A Monmouth County man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for drug and weapons offenses, Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said on Tuesday.

Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr. sentenced upon Salik Hinton, 29, of Neptune Township, who was found guilty on Jan. 18 of: third-degree possessing a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), second-degree unlawfully possessing a handgun without a permit, and second-degree certain person not to possess a handgun.

Judge Falcetano ordered Hinton to serve a mandatory five-year prison term before he could become eligible for parole.

The case background … 

Hinton’s conviction was the result of the actions of an Asbury Park Police officer, who, on Aug. 18, 2015, upon receiving information that someone matching the defendant’s description was in possession of a handgun, immediately located and approached Hinton.

Just after midnight, in the area of Asbury Park Garden Apartment Complex, the officer attempted to speak with Hinton, who began to run. Hinton eventually tripped and fell; and, as he did, a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun and multiple prescription drugs fell from his pocket and were secured by the officer.

The defendant’s prior criminal record prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm.

 

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office