A man was sentenced to 3.5 years in state prison for a gun offense last Wednesday.

Jaquan K. Grayson, 22, of Paterson, previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon. He will have to serve the entire 42 months in state prison before being eligible for parole.

Grayson was originally charged with robbery and two weapons offenses which would have gotten him a much longer sentence. His attorney Kenyatta Stewart negotiated the plea deal with the prosecutor’s office.

On July 8, 2021, Grayson was approached by police while inside driver’s seat of his Nissan Maxima on East 39th Street. Police seized a handgun that was near his feet inside the vehicle. He admitted in court the weapon was his.

Stewart appeared virtually during the sentencing on Wednesday. Grayson mother urged the judge to impose a lenient sentence on her son.

The judge said she does not have the legal authority to impose a shorter sentence.

“This is the mandatory minimum the court has to impose by law,” said Passaic County judge Justine Niccolai.

Grayson has one previous conviction from the Haledon court for a disorderly person’s offense. He has been using marijuana since age 13 and graduated from Manchester High School.