South Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Concealing Information About Kidnapping from the FBI

CAMDEN, NJ—A Camden County man today admitted concealing from law enforcement authorities information about a home invasion and kidnapping that led to the death of an Atlantic City woman, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Ronnie Ruffin, 43, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden federal court to in information charging him with one count of misprison of a felony.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Ronnie Ruffin was arrested October 18, 2011. Prior to his arrest, he had learned that on March 26, 2011, Nadirah Ruffin (no relation) was the victim of a home invasion and was kidnapped from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ronnie Ruffin also learned Nadirah Ruffin was driven to Philadelphia, shot, and killed. Her body was found in the Schuylkill River on April 19, 2011. Ronnie Ruffin admitted that before his arrest that he had learned the home invasion and kidnapping of Nadirah Ruffin were orchestrated to retaliate for an assault on another individual.

After Ronnie Ruffin was arrested, he gave a statement to an FBI special agent and a Atlantic City Police Department detective in which he concealed and failed to immediately make known that he knew the identities of the individuals involved in the home invasion and kidnapping.

The charges to which Ronnie Ruffin pleaded guilty carry a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for January 10, 2013.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward; investigators from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor James P. McClain; and detectives from the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Deputy Chief Ernest Jubilee, Commander of the Atlantic City Police Department, for the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason M. Richardson and Matthew T. Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Two Essex County Men Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms in Gas Station Robberies

NEWARK—Two Essex County, New Jersey men who admitted to robbing three gas stations in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Newark on March 8, 2011, were sentenced to prison today, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Abdul Muhammad, 22, of Newark, was sentenced to 228 months in prison, and Lamar Sanders, 24, of Newark, was sentenced to 207 months prison. Both men previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh to Informations charging them with three counts each of Hobbs Act robbery. Judge Cavanaugh imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 8, 2011, Muhammad and Lamar Sanders robbed a Getty gas station and a Delta gas station, both in Newark, and a Lukoil gas station in Elizabeth. Muhammad admitted to taking money from the gas station attendants at the Getty and Delta gas stations and to firing a gun towards the victim of the Getty gas station robbery. Muhammad also admitted to punching the gas station attendant at the Lukoil gas station during the robbery. Sanders admitted to striking the gas station attendants at the Getty and Delta gas stations in the face during the robberies and to threatening the gas station attendant at the Lukoil gas station with a firearm. During the Lukoil robbery, Sanders handed the firearm to Muhammad, who then discharged the weapon, striking the Lukoil employee. Muhammad and Sanders violated the Hobbs Act when they obstructed the movement of articles and commodities in commerce by robbing the employees of the gas station while they were working.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Cavanagh sentenced Muhammad and Sanders each to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Newark Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking

NEWARK, NJ—A Newark man today admitted his role in a carjacking in Newark on March 14, 2012, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Anthony Reynolds, 18, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation before U.S. District Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Reynolds admitted that on March 14, 2012, he was a passenger in a BMW that had stopped at an intersection in Newark. Reynolds exited the vehicle and approached the driver’s side of a Porsche 911 Turbo that was stopped behind the BMW. Reynolds brandished a .38-cal. revolver at the driver of the Porsche 911 Turbo and ordered the driver out of the car. Once the driver got out of the car, Reynolds attempted to drive away in the Porsche 911 Turbo, but was unable to operate its manual transmission. A police chase ensued on foot and the police apprehended Reynolds.

The carjacking charge to which Reynolds pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss from the offense.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

Sentencing before Judge Cavanaugh is scheduled for January 22, 2013.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan of the Organized Crimes/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Joseph Ferrante Esq., Newark

Newark Man Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison for Committing String of Bank Robberies Throughout New Jersey

TRENTON—A Newark, New Jersey man was sentenced today to 96 months in prison for robbing eight banks and attempting to rob a ninth bank during a two-month spree throughout New Jersey between June 25, 2010 and August 17, 2010, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Nathaniel Barreto, 30, previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of bank robbery and admitted to eight other bank robberies and one attempted bank robbery before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson, who imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Barreto also admitted to brandishing what appeared to be a firearm during each of the bank robberies and the attempted bank robbery.

Barreto’s bank robbery spree came to an end following the August 17, 2010 bank robbery, when a witness saw Barreto get into a car driven by his accomplice and noted the license plate number, which matched the plate on a car found abandoned near a wooded area. Barreto and his accomplice were both apprehended in the woods nearby.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Wolfson sentenced Barreto to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $112,515 in restitution.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited the FBI, under the direction of Michael B. Ward in Newark; along with the Hanover Township Police Department; the Morris County Sheriff’s Office; the New Jersey State Police; and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for the investigation leading to today’s sentence.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirley U. Emehelu of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

Two Men Sentenced to More Than a Century in Prison for Seven Armed Robberies, Shooting of Wayne Police Officer

NEWARK—Two men who shot a police officer in the course of robbing seven stores from March 2010 through May 2010 were sentenced to lengthy prison terms today, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Nelson Otero, 48, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was sentenced to 174.5 years in prison, and Maxcime Cagan, 48, of Floral Park, New York, was sentenced to 172.5 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court. Both defendants were previously convicted of all 15 counts charged in the superseding indictment on which they were tried: one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies; seven counts of Hobbs Act robberies; and seven counts of possessing and using firearms in connection with those robberies.

“These two defendants went on a violent rampage through New Jersey,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said. “They beat and pistol-whipped victims, held guns to their heads, and shot a police officer in the head. The sentences handed down today will ensure these two predators will be permanently removed from society.”

“This successful prosecution is due to a cooperative investigation between the FBI, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and local law enforcement,” Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said. “This sends a clear message that federal, state, and local agencies work well together in protecting the public.”

“The entire Wayne Police Deptartment is very happy that the individuals who are responsible for the robberies and the shooting of Police Officer Brian Worell have been sentenced to very long terms in prison,” said Wayne Township Police Chief John T. Reardon. “We hope that these sentences will give Officer Worell some peace of mind and closure for the events of that night. I would like to thank all who participated in the investigation, arrest, and trial for their tireless efforts in bringing these very dangerous individuals to justice and putting an end to their numerous crimes.”

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

From March 2010 through May 2010, Otero and Cagan robbed at gunpoint businesses including convenience stores, gas stations, and liquor stores in Bergen, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, and Union counties. They were also involved in the shooting of Wayne Police Officer Brian Worell during the robbery of the Exxon/Tiger Mart in Wayne on May 10, 2010. The specific details of those robberies include:

■March 29, 2010—Otero and Cagan robbed at gunpoint the Wine Cellar in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They robbed the store of its business proceeds and ordered the victims to the back of the store and stole their personal belongings. Otero pistol-whipped one of the victims of this robbery.

■April 5, 2010—Otero and Cagan robbed at gunpoint the Shell Gas Station/7- Eleven in Wayne, New Jersey. They robbed the store of its business proceeds and ordered the victims to the back of the store and stole their personal belongings.

■April 22, 2010—Otero and Cagan robbed at gunpoint the 7-Eleven in Edison, New Jersey. They robbed the store of its business proceeds and ordered the victim to the back of the store.

■May 5, 2010—Otero and Cagan robbed the 7-Eleven in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. They robbed the store of its business proceeds and ordered the victim to the back of the store and stole his personal belongings.

■May 10, 2010—Otero and Cagan robbed at gunpoint the Exxon Gas Station/Tiger Mart in Wayne. They robbed the store of its business proceeds and ordered the victims to the back of the store and stole their personal belongings. Upon leaving the store, Otero and Cagan encountered Officer Worell, and they both discharged their firearms at him, striking the officer in the head.

■May 14, 2010—Otero and Cagan robbed at gunpoint the Krauszer’s store in Hightstown, New Jersey. They robbed the store of its business proceeds and ordered the victims to the back of the store.

■May 16, 2010—Otero and Cagan robbed the 7-Eleven in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. They robbed the store of its business proceeds and ordered the victims to the back of the store and stole their personal belongings. Otero pistol-whipped one of the victims of this robbery.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Chesler sentenced Otero and Cagan to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay restitution in an amount to be determined.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, as well as law enforcement officers of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Wayne Police Department, and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacques S. Pierre and Lisa M. Colone of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.