Monday morning, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie issued a pardon to 24-year-old Steffon Josey-Davis. Davis, a former armed guard for currency security company Loomis, was arrested and charged in 2013 for accidentally transporting his legally registered handgun.
"WHEREAS, Steffon Josey-Davis, was arrested on September 20, 2013 and was thereafter indicted for one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5 (b) in the Borough of Highland Park, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey," the pardon states. "WHEREAS, Steffon Josey-Davis has made a written application to the Governor for a pardon for the aforesaid offense, and the State Parole Board, upon request of the Governor, in accordance with the law, has made an investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding said application for Pardon; NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority conferred upon me by the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the statures of this State, do hereby grant Steffon Josey-Davis, a full and free Pardon for all criminal charges and indictments arising from the arrest occurring September 20, 2013 to include the aforesaid crime, and this order is applicable soley to said criminal charge and indictment, and to no other."
More background on the case:
Hello, My name is Steffon Josey-Davis I'm a 24 year old from New Jersey who became a convicted felon for a legally owned firearm. As an armored Guard for Loomis, As a Armed service company who transported U.S & foreign currency to banks and service ATM's. I was also on the road to a successful career with my township police department.
One Morning on September 20th 2013. I was preparing myself for work, grabbing my firearm out of my safe, bulletproof vest, Making my way to the garage. While in the process of disarming my firearm. My little sister came into the garage. To avoid any accidents, I put the firearm in the glove compartment moments after putting my bulletproof vest on the passenger seat. After securing my firearm, I took my sister upstairs to put her back in bed. Losing track of time, I noticed I was running late, grabbed my keys and continued to leave my house that morning for work. Not realizing my firearm was still in the glove compartment.
When I left out of the house that morning I was later pulled over in my vehicle. During my traffic stop, I notified the officers who I was, Who I worked for and I had my Legally owned firearm in my glove compartment.
The officers took my fire arm and let me go, When I went to claim my fire arm from the police department they arrested me and charged me with unlawful possession of a firearm I legally owned.
I was facing 10 years in prison for a simple technicality. I am now a convicted felon.
Before being charged with a felony, Josey-Davis had dreams of becoming a police officer. Hopefully now, he can get his life back and pursue that goal. Josey-Davis started a GoFundMe page to help with legal bills. You can visit that page here.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member