Jaquan Campbell
A North Carolina man seems to have learned the gun laws in New Jersey the hard way.
Jaquan Campbell, 33, was arrested Aug. 30, after he was found in possession of a handgun when police came looking for him and his wife after their baby was left alone in a hotel room.
A housekeeper at Bally's Atlantic City alerted police she saw the infant asleep in a crib while bringing towels to the family's room.
Campbell nor his wife had left the baby alone for about 45 minutes, according to the charges.
When Campbell was found, he was in possession of a handgun and hollow-point bullets.
The gun was legal in North Carolina, proven by a receipt and serial number provided by defense attorney Nicholas Moschella Jr.
The attorney said he believes Campbell will be able to get a Graves waiver, which allows a defendant to avoid the mandatory minimum sentencing required for gun cases.
Judge Joseph Levin agreed that the case was likely a matter of Campbell not knowing the difference in guns laws between his home state and New Jersey.
Campbell has no criminal history.
Both he and his wife are charged with second-degree child endangerment. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency was called.
Mother and child are believed to be back in North Carolina, but it was unclear whether DCPP would remain involved.
Campbell was released with monthly reporting. His next court date is Oct. 21, when he will need to return to the state to appear in person.
