Atlantic City Man Convicted in Armed Drug Case Involving Teen

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – A 20-year-old man was convicted Monday on multiple charges tied to drug distribution and firearms offenses, including employing a juvenile in criminal activity. The charges stem from a December 2022 incident when a police officer entered a convenience store on the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue around 8:30 p.m. and observed Quadri Cooper and a 15-year-old selling crack cocaine. As the officer approached, Cooper fled to the rear of the store and hid a fully loaded 9mm handgun on a shelf. Authorities later recovered the firearm, which had its serial numbers removed. Cooper was also found in possession of 6.5 grams of crack cocaine at the time of his arrest. Following his arrest and subsequent trial, Cooper was convicted of multiple offenses, including distribution of crack cocaine, unlawful possession of a handgun during a drug crime, possession of a defaced firearm, and using a minor in drug-related crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for June. Prosecutors say the conviction reflects ongoing efforts to curb armed drug activity in Atlantic City, particularly cases involving underage individuals.