Prosecutor: Bernardsville Man Sold Uzi to Undercover Detective

Bernardsville police and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday announced the arrest of a Bernardsville man, Samuel J. Medway, 43, who allegedly sold an Uzi assault rifle to an undercover detective.

In a news release, Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano said an investigation was initiated when Bernards Township police reportedly received information that Medway was in possession of, and intended to sell, an Uzi assault rifle. Soon after, an undercover detective assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force made contact with Medway and negotiated the purchase of the Uzi, the release said.

On Tuesday, the undercover detective met with Medway at his Anderson Hill Road residence in Bernardsville, and allegedly paid him $1,500 for the Uzi assault rifle and 14 high-capacity magazines, according to the prosecutor's office. The magazines are capable of holding between 25 to 40 rounds, authorities said.

As part of the alleged sale, Medway requested that the undercover detective backdate the bill of sale to make is appear as though the transaction had occurred in January, 2000, the prosecutor's office said. 

Afterward, Medway left his residence in his car and, at approximately 4:15 p.m., detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop on Mount Airy Road with the assistance of marked Bernardsville patrol units. Medway was removed from the vehicle and arrested without incident, the release said.

Authorities said Task Force detectives obtained and executed a search warrant on Medway's residence, where detectives allegedly recovered two shotguns, one of which was altered with a pistol grip. 

Medway now faces charges of possession with an assault weapon, second degree; unlawful sale of an assault firearm, third degree; possession of a high-capacity ammunition magazine, fourth degree; violation of the regulatory provisions pertaining to firearms, fourth degree and forgery, fourth degree, the release said. Medway was lodged in the Somerset County Jail, where Judge Angela F. Borkowski, set bail at $25,000, cash or bond.

The announcement came from Soriano, Somerset County Chief of Detectives Stuart Buckman, Bernardsville Chief of Police Kevin Valentine and Bernards Township Chief of Police Brian Bobowicz.