An Atlantic City man accused of carrying a loaded gun just months after being released from prison was ordered held in jail Tuesday.
Daniele Tuitt, 23, was sentenced to prison March 22, 2019, on a gun possession charge, Assistant Prosecutor Allison Eiselen told the judge.
He was originally charged with kidnapping in a gunpoint robbery of two men in 2018 when he was 19 years old. But under the plea, Tuitt was sentenced to a gun charge carrying five years in prison with a mandatory 3½ years, records show.
He maxed out of his term this past March 1, and was not on parole, Eiselen said.
Tuitt was arrested around 4:40 p.m. Dec. 28, after Detective Albert Valles saw him adjust a gun in his waistband as Tuitt crossed Route 30 near North Carolina Avenue, according to the affidavit. The detective also claims Tuitt has gang ties.
Tuitt was on his way to work at Harrah’s Atlantic City at the time of his arrest, attorney Omar Aguilar told the judge.
“He’s trying to do something with his life, your honor, and step away from what led him to get involved in the criminal justice system earlier,” Aguilar said.
“The court should take into consideration that Mr. Tuitt lives in a rough neighborhood, and he can’t always rely on police to protect him,” the defense attorney added. “Atlantic City can be a dangerous place, as we all know.”
But Eiselen said Atlantic City can be a dangerous place because of Tuitt walking around with a gun with an extended magazine loaded with hollow-point bullets.
Judge Pam D’Arcy agreed.
“His time in state prison did nothing to deter him from committing further crimes, and his criminality is escalating,” the judge said.
Tuitt will now remain in the Atlantic County Justice Facility while his case go through the court.
NOTE: The Atlantic County Justice Facility does not release mugshots to the public under an order from the former prosecutor.
