Burlington County, NJ, Man Pleads Guilty to Drug, Gun Charges; Potentially Faces Life in Prison

A Burlington County man now potentially faces up to life in prison and millions of dollars in fines after he admitted his role in a scheme to possess and distribute guns and drugs.

On Wednesday in Trenton federal court, 43-year-old Nicholas Layton of Mount Holly pleaded guilty to one count each of,

• Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
• Possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine
• Possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

According to court documents,

• In December of 2018, Layton and a conspirator were stopped in Crawford County, Arkansas, in possession of over three kilograms of methamphetamine.

• In July 2019, Layton possessed two firearms; a rifle and a shotgun after having been previously convicted in New Jersey of a drug trafficking offense.

• At the time of his arrest in August 2019, Layton possessed approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine.

The drug trafficking counts to which Layton pleaded guilty carry a sentence of ten years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.

The firearms offense carries up to a decade behind bars and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 15th.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the New Jersey State Police; the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office; and the Arkansas State Police for their work in this case.