June 14, 2024
TRENTON, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey man was sentenced to 245 months (20.4 Years) in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than one kilogram of heroin in Trenton and the surrounding area, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jerome Roberts, aka “Righteous,” 53, was convicted in October 2021 of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin. Roberts was convicted following a three-week trial before former then-Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson. U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner imposed the sentence on June 13, 2024, in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in the case and the evidence at trial:
From October 2017 to October 2018, Roberts and others engaged in a large narcotics conspiracy that operated in the areas of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Sanford Street, Middle Rose Street, Southard Street, Hoffman Avenue, and Coolidge Avenue in Trenton, and which sought to profit from the distribution of heroin and numerous other controlled substances. Roberts and his conspirator Jakir Taylor obtained regular supplies of hundreds of “bricks” of heroin from conspirator David Antonio, whom they referred to as “Papi.” Communications intercepted over court-authorized wiretaps showed that Taylor and Roberts agreed to obtain from Antonio what Roberts referred to as the “motherlode,” a supply of as many as 1,500 bricks – approximately 1.5 kilograms of heroin – in a single delivery. Taylor said that he intended to “flood the streets” of Trenton with this large supply. And Antonio said that “as long . . . as I keep it flowing, we never gonna stop.” Evidence in the case also showed that Roberts personally distributed large quantities of heroin to others during the conspiracy. For example, law enforcement surveillance, intercepted communications, and other physical evidence showed that on or about August 10, 2018, Roberts obtained a supply of 200 bricks of heroin from Antonio, which he redistributed to Taylor and others. During coordinated arrests on Oct. 25, 2018, law enforcement arrested Roberts, Taylor, Antonio, and other defendants, and recovered more than 1.4 kilograms of heroin from Antonio’s residence.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Director Steve Wilson; officers of the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Nicholas Sutter; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John P. Stemler III; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Bruce Painter; and detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.
He also thanked officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri; officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John A. Kemler; and members of the N.J. State Board of Parole for their assistance in the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
Antonio pleaded guilty to his role was sentenced in March 2020 to 204 months in prison. Taylor pleaded guilty to his role and was sentenced in January 2023 to 228 months in prison.
This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around the greater Trenton area. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
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Defense counsel: Mark A. Berman Esq., Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
The Summer Initiative returns after a productive 2023 campaign.
June 14, 2024
Trenton, NJ (MERCER) – This morning, Mayor Reed Gusciora joined Police Director Steve Wilson, First Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Downing-Mathis, New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan, and multiple members of TPD and NJSP to announce the 2024 Summer Initiative Task Force.
The Task Force will feature an increase in law enforcement and resources with help from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and NJSP. This year’s task force will feature new endeavors such as the Criminal Investigation Crime Suppression Units and Arrive Together.
The newly created Criminal Investigation Crime Suppression Units will act as an enhancement tool to investigations resulting in real time arrests. Arrive Together, is a program focused on sending a certified mental health screener and crisis specialist, to respond to 9-1-1 calls involving behavioral health incidents.
“Following a successful 2023, we are excited to bring back the Summer Initiative Task Force.” Mayor Gusciora said. “It is vitally important that our children and residents are able to have a safe and enjoyable summer.”
“The Prosecutor’s Office is dedicated to the Summer Initiative, we will be dedicating resources as well our investigative staff and other staff,” said First Assistant Prosecutor Downing-Mathis. “Trenton is one of the many municipalities’ that the County is entrusted with but we care deeply about this City and we hope that we can have a terrific summer.”
After last year’s success of keeping shootings under 1,000 in the state, this year’s goal is to get that number under 900 with the New Jersey State Police U9C operation.
“So far shooting victims in Trenton are down 9% and in Mercer County down 25% and its because of those partnerships and meetings we have with federal, state, and local agencies,” said Colonel Callahan. “It is our hope that we keep shootings down.”
In addition to the the increase in law enforcement, there will also be an increase in summer time events to help keep the community engaged in safe activities. Residents can expect to see over 70 events, multiple summer camps including the Junior Public Safety Program, TPD’s Summer Youth Camp, and the Summer Youth Camps hosted at Sam Naples and the West Ward Recreation Centers, and over 30 sites with more than 280 employees for our free Summer Food Program.
“It’s not all about arresting people and police work, it’s about reaching out and being apart of a movement to help make Trenton a safer place,” Director Wilson said.
L-R: Mayor Reed Gusciora, Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson, and First Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Downing-Mathis
June 14, 2024
FREEHOLD – A local man has been sentenced to five years in state prison for torturing and killing his pet cat last year, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Friday.
Bani J. Mezquititla, 19, of Asbury Park will also have to pay restitution for the cost of the cat’s necropsy and comply with an order permanently banning him from ever again owning, living with, or having custody over any animal, according to the terms set down during a hearing yesterday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Chad N. Cagan.
An investigation into Mezquititla’s activities was initiated in March 2023, when a concerned citizen brought the body of a dead cat to Asbury Park Police Department headquarters.
Members of that agency and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Humane Law Enforcement Division determined that the cat had belonged to Mezquititla, who first performed sexual acts on the animal, seriously injuring it. He also later restrained and tortured the cat, resulting in its death.
Mezquititla was located and arrested on the same day the investigation was initiated, then transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI). He has remained incarcerated there as the case has progressed, as a motion by the State to keep him detained was granted.
In April 2024, Mezquititla pleaded guilty to charges of Animal Cruelty by Tormenting, Torturing, or Unnecessarily or Cruelly Abusing a Living Animal, Resulting in its Death, and Animal Cruelty by Using or Causing or Procuring the Use of an Animal or Creature in Any Kind of Sexual Manner, both third-degree crimes.
“It is virtually impossible to conceive of an instance of animal cruelty reflective of greater depths of depravity than this,” Prosecutor Santiago said. “Thanks to a diligent investigation and prosecution, yesterday’s sentencing marked one of the most substantial criminal penalties for an offense of this nature ever seen in the State of New Jersey. It is the maximum sentence one can receive under the law. We strongly feel that this outcome serves the interests of justice, and hope that the numerous individuals from across the country who have reached out urging us to win justice for Ellie are similarly satisfied.”
This case was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Keri-Leigh Schaefer and Sevan Biramian.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
June 14, 2024
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting that occurred Tuesday evening in the city, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
At approximately 5:10 p.m. on June 11, 2024, Trenton patrol units responded to the area of Stuyvesant Avenue and Hoffman Avenue on a shot spotter activation. While on scene, officers learned that two gunshot victims had arrived at Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment. One of the males was treated for a gunshot wound and released from the hospital The second male, Jonathan Applegate, of Trenton, was shot multiple times and later died at the hospital.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Karl Johnston at (609) 439-5248 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to [email protected]
Names of the 2024 Trenton Homicide Victims
- 01/13/2024 Eduardo Lopez-Cruz, 38, of Trenton, Shooting
- 02/28/2024 Shawn Moore, 45, Trenton, Shooting
- 03/19/2024 Donnell Jenkins age 52, Stabbing
- 04/04/2024 Jose Alfredo Azcona Garcia, 46, of Trenton, Shooting
- 05/01/2024 Jerome Francis, 43, of Hamilton
- 05/01/2024 Chevaughn Fagan, 28, of Trenton
- 05/19/2024 Stephon Fisher, 18, of Trenton, Shooting
- 05/26/2024 Dwayne Penix, 20, of Trenton, Shooting
- 06/11/2024 Johnathan Applegate
