NEWARK - Some tenants at a Newark apartment complex say they are being wrongfully evicted, and a Kane In Your Corner investigation finds they could have a case. The investigation finds Pavilion Apartments and its management company, Kettler Properties, sent out legal notices supposedly signed and dated by a former manager who had been dead for months.
Kyle Screen, the tenants association president at the Pavilion Apartments, says he has been arguing with property managers over the new lease agreement, which asks residents to take on new expenses, including buying their own $100,000 liability insurance policies and paying extermination costs if their apartments are treated for bed bugs. Since the apartments are rent controlled, Screen argues that it amounts to an illegal rent increase, but he says managers have refused to discuss the issue. Instead, Screen was hit with an eviction notice, citing his refusal to sign the new lease along with other alleged lease violations, which Screen denies. “I believe management is targeting me because I have been a very vocal voice for the residents,” he says.
But Kane In Your Corner found a much bigger issue with the eviction notices sent to Screen and hundreds of other tenants. The “landlord verification forms” are supposedly signed and dated by a former manager who died months before. Brian Freeman, a Jersey City attorney who specializes in housing law, says this is such a serious legal problem that any eviction bearing that signature “would have to be dismissed on its face immediately.”
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The attorney for Kettler Management, Jenel Marraccini, says property managers sign hundreds of blank forms in advance so the law firm can fill in the information as needed. She admits the firm was still using old forms signed by the now-deceased manager, but argues that the mistake is unimportant because “someone at the management company reviews these notices.”
But Brian Freeman, a housing attorney from Jersey City and past president of the New Jersey Bar Association, calls that argument “totally false.” That’s because the verification forms state that the person signing them has personally read the information and vouches that it is accurate, under penalty of law. “To have someone who is deceased do it, quite frankly, is outrageous,” Freeman says.
Showing posts with label Newark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newark. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, November 25, 2013
Newark Man Pleads Guilty to 17 Armed Robberies, an Armed Carjacking, and a Shooting
NEWARK, NJ—A Newark, New Jersey man today admitted committing 17 armed robberies of commercial establishments throughout Union, Essex, and Bergen counties, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Bobby Dawson, 30, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls to a three-count information charging him with committing an armed carjacking, conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robberies, and discharging a firearm during the commission of one of those robberies.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Dawson conspired with others to rob commercial establishments as follows:
Dawson and his conspirators robbed each of these establishments at gunpoint, stealing cash, cigarettes, and other items. In 15 of the 17 robberies, Dawson and his conspirators used zipties or duct tape to restrain their victims.
In the MS&K robbery on April 1, 2013, Dawson threatened the clerk of the store with a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun. When the clerk resisted, Dawson fired his gun at the clerk, ordered the clerk to lie down, and then stole $9,000 from the cash register.
In the robbery of Krauszers in West Orange on April 24, 2013, Dawson and his conspirator tied up three individuals in the store with zipties before stealing approximately $600 and several cartons of cigarettes. Dawson injured a store employee by hitting the victim in the head with his firearm. The armed carjacking to which Dawson pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. The Hobbs Act conspiracy to which Dawson pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss arising out of the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Belleville, Bloomfield, Kearny, Linden, Maplewood, Newark, Paramus, Verona, and West Orange Police Departments, along with the New Jersey State Police and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their work on this case. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamari Buxton and Rahul Agarwal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Bobby Dawson, 30, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls to a three-count information charging him with committing an armed carjacking, conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robberies, and discharging a firearm during the commission of one of those robberies.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Dawson conspired with others to rob commercial establishments as follows:
| Business | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pao Da Terra | Newark | December 29, 2012 |
| Lukoil | Newark | January 20, 2013 |
| Newark Community Pharmacy | Newark | January 24, 2013 |
| Linden Stationary | Linden | February 1, 2013 |
| Delta Gas Station | Newark | February 1, 2013 |
| Shoppers Express | Belleville | February 2, 2013 |
| Krauszers | Kearny | February 10, 2013 |
| Krauszers | Bloomfield | February 13, 2013 |
| Pat’s Deli | Newark | February 19, 2013 |
| Smashburger | Paramus | March 16, 2013 |
| Krauszers | Bloomfield | March 29, 2013 |
| MS&K Confectionery | Maplewood | April 1, 2013 |
| Belleville News and Food | Belleville | April 17, 2013 |
| South Wood Discount Liquor | Linden | April 17, 2013 |
| Krauszers | West Orange | April 24, 2013 |
| Newark Community Pharmacy | Newark | May 1, 2013 |
| Subway Restaurant | Verona | May 20, 2013 |
In the MS&K robbery on April 1, 2013, Dawson threatened the clerk of the store with a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun. When the clerk resisted, Dawson fired his gun at the clerk, ordered the clerk to lie down, and then stole $9,000 from the cash register.
In the robbery of Krauszers in West Orange on April 24, 2013, Dawson and his conspirator tied up three individuals in the store with zipties before stealing approximately $600 and several cartons of cigarettes. Dawson injured a store employee by hitting the victim in the head with his firearm. The armed carjacking to which Dawson pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. The Hobbs Act conspiracy to which Dawson pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss arising out of the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Belleville, Bloomfield, Kearny, Linden, Maplewood, Newark, Paramus, Verona, and West Orange Police Departments, along with the New Jersey State Police and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their work on this case. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jamari Buxton and Rahul Agarwal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
5 dead in 3 days: Newark homicide surge sparks call for more cops in high-crime areas
NEWARK — Hours after Newark suffered its fifth homicide in less than 72 hours, officials in the state's largest city began calling for a concentrated public safety strategy to curb the bloodshed.
Shaheed Cook, 36, was shot and killed in the 900 block of South 20th Street shortly before midnight on Tuesday, marking the fifth homicide in the state's largest city since Sunday morning, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said.
Cook was pronounced dead at the scene. His brother was also shot and critically wounded in the attack, according to Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio.
The city has suffered 78 homicides this year, up from 71 during the same time frame in 2012, and that increase prompted one city councilman to call for a change in police tactics today.
Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., a 2014 mayoral candidate, sent a letter to other council members today urging them to consider implementing part of his public safety plan, which calls for putting more officers on patrol in the city's most dangerous corners.
All five of this week's homicides happened in the South Ward.
"I ask you, for the safety of our residents, to put politics aside on this important issue and consider moving quickly on these initiatives," he wrote.
South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka and Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif are also vying to replace Newark Mayor Cory Booker in the May election. Former assistant attorney general Shavar Jeffries is also in the race.
Baraka said he has been calling for increased police resources in the South Ward for years, and dismissed Ramos' letter as a "political stunt." He released a public safety plan last week that focused on curing the social ills that often contribute to city crime.
“The average shooter has been arrested about four or five times," Baraka said. "We have no real intervention, no real pre-entry in the city, to try and prevent this kind of thing that is going on.”
Shaheed Cook, 36, was shot and killed in the 900 block of South 20th Street shortly before midnight on Tuesday, marking the fifth homicide in the state's largest city since Sunday morning, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said.
Cook was pronounced dead at the scene. His brother was also shot and critically wounded in the attack, according to Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio.
The city has suffered 78 homicides this year, up from 71 during the same time frame in 2012, and that increase prompted one city councilman to call for a change in police tactics today.
Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., a 2014 mayoral candidate, sent a letter to other council members today urging them to consider implementing part of his public safety plan, which calls for putting more officers on patrol in the city's most dangerous corners.
All five of this week's homicides happened in the South Ward.
"I ask you, for the safety of our residents, to put politics aside on this important issue and consider moving quickly on these initiatives," he wrote.
South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka and Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif are also vying to replace Newark Mayor Cory Booker in the May election. Former assistant attorney general Shavar Jeffries is also in the race.
Baraka said he has been calling for increased police resources in the South Ward for years, and dismissed Ramos' letter as a "political stunt." He released a public safety plan last week that focused on curing the social ills that often contribute to city crime.
“The average shooter has been arrested about four or five times," Baraka said. "We have no real intervention, no real pre-entry in the city, to try and prevent this kind of thing that is going on.”
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Manhattan U.S. Attorney and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Announce Arrest of New Jersey Resident for Kidnapping Conspiracy
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the
Southern District of New York, and George Venizelos, the Assistant
Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), today announced the arrest of Michael Vanhise for
conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Vanhise allegedly agreed to pay
co-conspirator Gilberto Valle, who was an active-duty New York City
Police Officer at the time, to kidnap a woman in New York (the “victim”)
and to bring her to his home in New Jersey, where she would be raped.
He also allegedly participated in planning the kidnapping of a female
minor. Vanhise was arrested by FBI special agents this morning at his
residence in Hamilton, New Jersey, and will be presented later today
before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck in Manhattan federal court.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “As alleged in the complaint, Michael Vanhise engaged in conduct that reads like a script for a bad horror film but fortunately, neither he nor his co-conspirators were able to act out the twisted conspiracies described in the complaint in real-life. His arrest today is the second in this bone-chilling case, but we are not finished.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos said, “The seriousness of the alleged conspiracy is self-evident. No effort to characterize the defendant’s actions is necessary. The factual allegations more than suffice to convey the depravity of the offense.”
According to the allegations in the complaint filed yesterday in Manhattan federal court and other public documents:
In a February 2012 e-mail conversation, Vanhise and Valle negotiated and agreed that Valle would kidnap the victim for $5,000. In those conversations, Vanhise and Valle planned for Valle to render the victim unconscious, bind her hands and feet, gag her, stuff her into a large suitcase, and deliver her to Vanhise’s home. Valle assured Vanhise that the victim would be delivered alive so that he could rape her.
Vanhise also e-mailed photographs of a female minor, whom Vanhise knew well, to other co-conspirators (“CC-2” and “CC-3”). CC-2 and CC-3 both expressed interest in kidnapping the child, and Vanhise provided them with the purported address of the girl, which was in close proximity to the girl’s actual home address.
Valle, 28, of Forest Hills, New York, was charged in October 2012 with one count of kidnapping conspiracy and one count of intentionally and knowingly accessing a computer without authorization and exceeding his authorized access, and thereby obtaining information from a department and agency of the United States. His case remains pending.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. He added that the investigation is continuing.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Hadassa Waxman and Randall W. Jackson are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges against Vanhise and Valle are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “As alleged in the complaint, Michael Vanhise engaged in conduct that reads like a script for a bad horror film but fortunately, neither he nor his co-conspirators were able to act out the twisted conspiracies described in the complaint in real-life. His arrest today is the second in this bone-chilling case, but we are not finished.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos said, “The seriousness of the alleged conspiracy is self-evident. No effort to characterize the defendant’s actions is necessary. The factual allegations more than suffice to convey the depravity of the offense.”
According to the allegations in the complaint filed yesterday in Manhattan federal court and other public documents:
In a February 2012 e-mail conversation, Vanhise and Valle negotiated and agreed that Valle would kidnap the victim for $5,000. In those conversations, Vanhise and Valle planned for Valle to render the victim unconscious, bind her hands and feet, gag her, stuff her into a large suitcase, and deliver her to Vanhise’s home. Valle assured Vanhise that the victim would be delivered alive so that he could rape her.
Vanhise also e-mailed photographs of a female minor, whom Vanhise knew well, to other co-conspirators (“CC-2” and “CC-3”). CC-2 and CC-3 both expressed interest in kidnapping the child, and Vanhise provided them with the purported address of the girl, which was in close proximity to the girl’s actual home address.
* * *
Vanhise, 23, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit
kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a
maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the
offense.Valle, 28, of Forest Hills, New York, was charged in October 2012 with one count of kidnapping conspiracy and one count of intentionally and knowingly accessing a computer without authorization and exceeding his authorized access, and thereby obtaining information from a department and agency of the United States. His case remains pending.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. He added that the investigation is continuing.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Hadassa Waxman and Randall W. Jackson are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges against Vanhise and Valle are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Two Essex County Men Charged in Connection with Stealing Three Cars in One Day
NEWARK—Two Essex County, New Jersey men appeared in
Newark federal court today in connection with charges arising out of
three carjackings that occurred on the same day in March 2012 in Essex
and Hudson counties, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Louis Holmes, 24, of Newark, is charged in a five-count complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking; three counts of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation; and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Rosendo Perez, 24, of Irvington, is charged in the same complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking; one count of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation; and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Both were already in state custody when they were charged by complaint on December 20, 2012. They both made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court today.
According to the criminal complaint:
On the afternoon of March 27, 2012, Holmes and Perez approached two individuals who were sitting in a parked 2009 Acura TL in the area of South 17th Street in Newark. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victims, and both Holmes and Perez ordered the victims out of the car. Holmes and Perez then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.
That night, Holmes accosted an individual who was approaching a parked 2010 Nissan Maxima, in which another individual was sitting. The car was parked in a McDonald’s parking lot on Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victims, demanded the car keys, and ordered one victim out of the car. Holmes then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.
One hour later, Holmes approached an individual who was standing near a 2008 Nissan Altima in the area of Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Newark. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victim and demanded the car keys. Holmes then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.
The next day, police observed the 2009 Acura TL, which was carjacked during the afternoon of the prior day. A motor vehicle pursuit ensued through the cities of Newark and East Orange until Perez, the driver of the carjacked vehicle, lost control of the car and crashed. Holmes was a passenger of the carjacked vehicle. Both Holmes and Perez exited the carjacked vehicle and attempted to flee the area but were apprehended shortly after the crash. Just before he was apprehended, Holmes allegedly threw a handgun loaded with six hollow-point rounds to the ground.
The charge of conspiracy to commit carjacking (count one) is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison. The carjacking counts (count two, four, and five) each are punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence (count three) is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Each of the five counts also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge David Velazquez in Newark; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio and Chief Sheilah A. Coley; and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray; the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Director Robert Kakoleski and Chief Thomas J. Comey; the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Gaetano T. Gregory, as well as criminal investigators from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Colone of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Louis Holmes, 24, of Newark, is charged in a five-count complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking; three counts of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation; and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Rosendo Perez, 24, of Irvington, is charged in the same complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking; one count of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation; and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Both were already in state custody when they were charged by complaint on December 20, 2012. They both made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court today.
According to the criminal complaint:
On the afternoon of March 27, 2012, Holmes and Perez approached two individuals who were sitting in a parked 2009 Acura TL in the area of South 17th Street in Newark. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victims, and both Holmes and Perez ordered the victims out of the car. Holmes and Perez then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.
That night, Holmes accosted an individual who was approaching a parked 2010 Nissan Maxima, in which another individual was sitting. The car was parked in a McDonald’s parking lot on Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victims, demanded the car keys, and ordered one victim out of the car. Holmes then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.
One hour later, Holmes approached an individual who was standing near a 2008 Nissan Altima in the area of Mt. Pleasant Avenue in Newark. Holmes pointed a firearm at the victim and demanded the car keys. Holmes then fled the area in the carjacked vehicle.
The next day, police observed the 2009 Acura TL, which was carjacked during the afternoon of the prior day. A motor vehicle pursuit ensued through the cities of Newark and East Orange until Perez, the driver of the carjacked vehicle, lost control of the car and crashed. Holmes was a passenger of the carjacked vehicle. Both Holmes and Perez exited the carjacked vehicle and attempted to flee the area but were apprehended shortly after the crash. Just before he was apprehended, Holmes allegedly threw a handgun loaded with six hollow-point rounds to the ground.
The charge of conspiracy to commit carjacking (count one) is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison. The carjacking counts (count two, four, and five) each are punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence (count three) is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Each of the five counts also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge David Velazquez in Newark; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio and Chief Sheilah A. Coley; and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray; the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Director Robert Kakoleski and Chief Thomas J. Comey; the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Gaetano T. Gregory, as well as criminal investigators from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Colone of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Fifteen Members of Alleged Drug Ring Arrested
NEWARK, NJ—Two members of an alleged drug trafficking
ring based in Elizabeth, New Jersey and operating throughout the
Northeast and Puerto Rico made their initial court appearances today,
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Nelson Yordan, a/k/a Carlos, 27, of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Michael Rosario, 28, of Hagerstown, Maryland, were both charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. They made their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.
Yordan and Rosario are among 15 people arrested over the past three weeks by FBI agents and local police in connection with a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing cocaine and heroin in the Elizabeth, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Hartford, Connecticut; and Hagersville, Maryland areas.
Also charged by complaint in connection with the alleged drug operation are: Roberto Rentas Negron, a/k/a El Duro; Kelmit Velazquez; Antonio Vazquez, a/k/a Panta; Fernando Duarte Castro; Julio Martinez Jr., 43, of Elizabeth; Lorenzo Carballo, 28, of Elizabeth; Hector Espinoza, a/k/a Will, 27, of Elizabeth; William Crespo, a/k/a Negro, 33, of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Melvin Gerena, a/k/a Flaco, 29, of Elizabeth; Marco Rodriguez, 26, of Elizabeth; Jerel Evans, a/k/a Gigante, 25, of Elizabeth; Robert Evans, a/k/a Gigante’s Brother; and Christian Reyes, a/k/a Enano. Each defendant is charged with one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Three of the defendants—Negron, Velazquez, and Vazquez—were arrested November 30, 2012, after FBI agents learned that Negron and Velazquez were plotting to murder a rival drug dealer who had reportedly stolen one kilogram of heroin from the organization. They made their initial court appearances before Judge Falk on December 3, 2012 and were ordered detained pending trial. After their arrests, many of their co-conspirators reportedly took measures to evade law enforcement, including changing cell phones and fleeing to other states.
As part of a coordinated operation, federal, and local law enforcement authorities subsequently located and arrested: Duarte Castro on December 3, 2012 in Newark; Carballo and Espinoza on December 13, 2012 in Elizabeth; Crespo in Allentown; Yordan in Hartford; and Rosario in Hagersville; on December 14, 2012. After fleeing to Puerto Rico, Rodriguez turned himself in to the FBI in San Juan on December 19, 2012.
Martinez and Gerena were previously arrested by the Elizabeth Police Department on unrelated charges and remain in state custody pending their transfer to face the federal charge. The other three defendants remain at large.
Between November 2011 and November 30, 2012, law enforcement was involved in an investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the Elizabeth and Newark areas. The organization had people in Puerto Rico and elsewhere coordinating shipments of cocaine and heroin through the U.S. mails to New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The narcotics would be concealed in items such as candles and children’s toys. Individuals in New Jersey would coordinate these shipments, process or “cut” the narcotics, and distribute the narcotics to locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and other locations.
Law enforcement in New Jersey identified Rentas Negron as the person who coordinated the acquisition of the drugs, the processing and packaging of the cocaine and heroin, the resale of the narcotics, and the distribution of the proceeds from drug sales. Vazquez frequently supplied narcotics to Rentas Negron. Reyes coordinated shipments of narcotics from Puerto Rico. The other members of the DTO cut, processed, packaged, stored, and distributed the narcotics and occasionally traveled to Florida, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and other states in order to obtain cocaine to distribute in the Elizabeth area.
The counts with which Yordan, Rosario, Negron, Velazquez, Martinez, Carballo, Espinoza, Crespo, Jerel Evans, Robert Evans, Gerena, and Rodriguez are charged carry a minimum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The counts with which Vazquez and Reyes are charged carry a minimum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The count with which Duarte Castro is charged carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in charge Michael B. Ward; U.S. Postal Inspectors, under the direction of Phillip R. Bartlett; law enforcement officers from the New Jersey National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, under the direction of the Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore J. Romanko; and the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director James Cosgrove, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam N. Subervi and David Eskew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Nelson Yordan, a/k/a Carlos, 27, of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Michael Rosario, 28, of Hagerstown, Maryland, were both charged by complaint with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. They made their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.
Yordan and Rosario are among 15 people arrested over the past three weeks by FBI agents and local police in connection with a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing cocaine and heroin in the Elizabeth, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Hartford, Connecticut; and Hagersville, Maryland areas.
Also charged by complaint in connection with the alleged drug operation are: Roberto Rentas Negron, a/k/a El Duro; Kelmit Velazquez; Antonio Vazquez, a/k/a Panta; Fernando Duarte Castro; Julio Martinez Jr., 43, of Elizabeth; Lorenzo Carballo, 28, of Elizabeth; Hector Espinoza, a/k/a Will, 27, of Elizabeth; William Crespo, a/k/a Negro, 33, of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Melvin Gerena, a/k/a Flaco, 29, of Elizabeth; Marco Rodriguez, 26, of Elizabeth; Jerel Evans, a/k/a Gigante, 25, of Elizabeth; Robert Evans, a/k/a Gigante’s Brother; and Christian Reyes, a/k/a Enano. Each defendant is charged with one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Three of the defendants—Negron, Velazquez, and Vazquez—were arrested November 30, 2012, after FBI agents learned that Negron and Velazquez were plotting to murder a rival drug dealer who had reportedly stolen one kilogram of heroin from the organization. They made their initial court appearances before Judge Falk on December 3, 2012 and were ordered detained pending trial. After their arrests, many of their co-conspirators reportedly took measures to evade law enforcement, including changing cell phones and fleeing to other states.
As part of a coordinated operation, federal, and local law enforcement authorities subsequently located and arrested: Duarte Castro on December 3, 2012 in Newark; Carballo and Espinoza on December 13, 2012 in Elizabeth; Crespo in Allentown; Yordan in Hartford; and Rosario in Hagersville; on December 14, 2012. After fleeing to Puerto Rico, Rodriguez turned himself in to the FBI in San Juan on December 19, 2012.
Martinez and Gerena were previously arrested by the Elizabeth Police Department on unrelated charges and remain in state custody pending their transfer to face the federal charge. The other three defendants remain at large.
Between November 2011 and November 30, 2012, law enforcement was involved in an investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the Elizabeth and Newark areas. The organization had people in Puerto Rico and elsewhere coordinating shipments of cocaine and heroin through the U.S. mails to New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The narcotics would be concealed in items such as candles and children’s toys. Individuals in New Jersey would coordinate these shipments, process or “cut” the narcotics, and distribute the narcotics to locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and other locations.
Law enforcement in New Jersey identified Rentas Negron as the person who coordinated the acquisition of the drugs, the processing and packaging of the cocaine and heroin, the resale of the narcotics, and the distribution of the proceeds from drug sales. Vazquez frequently supplied narcotics to Rentas Negron. Reyes coordinated shipments of narcotics from Puerto Rico. The other members of the DTO cut, processed, packaged, stored, and distributed the narcotics and occasionally traveled to Florida, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and other states in order to obtain cocaine to distribute in the Elizabeth area.
The counts with which Yordan, Rosario, Negron, Velazquez, Martinez, Carballo, Espinoza, Crespo, Jerel Evans, Robert Evans, Gerena, and Rodriguez are charged carry a minimum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The counts with which Vazquez and Reyes are charged carry a minimum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The count with which Duarte Castro is charged carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in charge Michael B. Ward; U.S. Postal Inspectors, under the direction of Phillip R. Bartlett; law enforcement officers from the New Jersey National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, under the direction of the Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore J. Romanko; and the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director James Cosgrove, with the investigation leading to the charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam N. Subervi and David Eskew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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