New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced Wednesday the indictment of Jeffrey O. Kennerk, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on multiple weapons offenses, aggravated assault, and endangering others, following his arrest at the Trenton Transit Center.
The indictment charges Kennerk with a litany of offenses, including second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; four counts of unlawful possession of a weapon; three counts of unlawful possession of an assault firearm; one count of aggravated assault; and one count of certain persons not to have weapons.
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He also faces fourth-degree charges for two counts of unlawful possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine; and one count each of unlawful possession of hollow nose ammunition; unlawful possession of a silencer; endangering another person; and causing or risking widespread injury or damage.
The charges stem from an incident that began on January 3, 2025, at Newark Penn Station. According to complaints and the indictment, an NJ Transit Police officer discovered an unattended zebra-print suitcase in the station’s concourse.
A subsequent search revealed a Glock handgun with a loaded magazine, an AR-style magazine loaded with rifle rounds, and multiple boxes of ammunition. Further investigation of surveillance footage allegedly identified Kennerk as the individual who left the suitcase behind before boarding an Amtrak train bound for Virginia.
Police officers intercepted Kennerk upon the train’s arrival at the Trenton Transit Center. During a search of his luggage, authorities allegedly discovered a significant cache of weapons, including an AR-15 style rifle, multiple handguns, numerous high-capacity magazines, silencers, and various rounds of ammunition, including hollow-point bullets.
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Alarmingly, while officers were securing a separate rifle loaded with .300 AAC Blackout ammunition, which had handkerchiefs wrapped around the trigger guard, the weapon discharged without the trigger being pulled, indicating it was allegedly booby-trapped.
“This defendant allegedly hauled a small arsenal of deadly weapons and ammunition through busy transit stations, and on a train filled with passengers,” stated Attorney General Platkin. “He allegedly left a suitcase containing assorted weapons and ammunition – including an assault rifle – in the concourse of Newark Penn Station, where anyone could have been harmed by them. If not for the outstanding police work done in this matter, we can only imagine where this defendant and these weapons would have ended up.”
DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton emphasized the collaborative effort of law enforcement, stating, “This case highlights the critical importance of effective law enforcement collaboration. The firearms seized in this case were illegal and presented a grave threat to public safety. My office is committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting weapons offenses of this kind.”
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NJ TRANSIT Police Chief Christopher Trucillo lauded the officers involved, from the initial observation of the unattended luggage in Newark to the apprehension of the suspect in Trenton and the subsequent investigation. “The collective actions of law enforcement eliminated the possible carnage that could have been caused by the weapons involved in this case,” Chief Trucillo said.
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, underscored the severity of the threat, saying, “The indictment of this individual underscores the severe threat posed by those who amass illegal weapons with blatant disregard for public safety. The swift and coordinated efforts of law enforcement prevented a potentially catastrophic event. By seizing these illegal firearms—including assault rifles, large-capacity magazines, silencers, and a booby-trapped rifle that discharged—officers averted a tragedy.”
Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Newark Field Division, added, “ATF and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying, investigating, and disrupting such criminal actions that endanger the lives of the public. We will continue to pursue those who attempt to operate outside of the law and who illegally sell, possess, and are trafficking firearms.”
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Second-degree charges in New Jersey carry a potential sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Fourth-degree offenses are punishable by up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
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