An ex-New Jersey man, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison last month for a cowardly homicide in Burlington City Hall Park four years ago, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court on Friday to federal gun and drug charges.

Christopher “Mike” Crawford, 37, formerly of Sicklerville, N.J. hid for about a half hour waiting for Brian Rogers, 32, to arrive at the city park before slipping in behind him and shooting him in the back of his head as he sat with his girlfriend about 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2022, federal officials said.  

The shooting, which police believe was drug related, was captured on video and the gun was fired from about six inches away, officials said.

Three days after the shooting Burlington Police stopped a car near Church and College Streets in which Crawford was riding, officers said.  They reported they found a loaded .357 magnum revolver and a .380 semi-automatic pistol, as well as 49 grams of crack cocaine, 97 grams of cocaine, 6 grams of methamphetamine, and 3 grams of fentanyl, in Crawford’s backpack and bag.

Police said they also determined Crawford had a pending arrest warrant from New Jersey for failing to appear in court in a cocaine distribution case.

Crawford reportedly struck a joint plea deal that netted him 10 years for the execution homicide and is expected to provide a 5-year consecutive term for his federal case.

The office of State’s Attorney Sarah George reduced the first degree murder charge to second degree murder as part of his plea deal.  Crawford’s sentence was 20 years to life with all but 10 years suspended.  As of now he is expected to be on probation for life, but a court could always change that.

Superior Court Judge John Pacht, who accepted the plea deal, told Crawford the killing was a “weak act.”

The victim’s family told the court that it wanted a long prison term.

Before the homicide, Crawford was considered a career felon with eight convictions in New Jersey, officials said.  He had five felony drug convictions and three felony gun convictions, then-Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan said in court papers in December 2025 after obtaining the federal indictment.

On Friday in federal court, Crawford denied a charge that he knowingly and intentionally possessed more than an ounce of crack cocaine on Sept. 7, 2022.  He also pleaded not guilty to carrying a firearm that day while trafficking in illegal drug sale.

The government is seeking the forfeiture of a Sig Sauer .380 semi-automatic pistol, a Smith & Wesson .357 magnum revolver and assorted ammunition, if convicted on either felony count.  

Defense lawyer Bridget Grace did not object to the government’s request that he remain in custody.

Federal Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle told Grace the defense would have until Oct. 19 to further investigate the case and file any pre-trial motions.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Fuller said she expects the case to be resolved quickly with plea agreement.