FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Friday, February 9, 2018
FOUR-MONTH NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION LEADS TO MULTIPLE ARRESTS
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
Following a four-month investigation, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force arrested five individuals, charging them with various narcotics offenses. Rayfeal Roman, age 31, of Jersey City, Johnathan Montalvo, age 30, of Jersey City, and Jessica Hoang, age 29, of West New York, were arrested in Jersey City on February 7, 2018. Jose Roman, age 35, of Bayonne, and Joseph Marin, age 35, of Jersey City, were arrested on February 8, 2018.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Rayfeal Roman was the alleged organizational leader of a narcotics trafficking network operating in Hudson County that distributed large quantities of cocaine and marijuana. Roman allegedly supplied Controlled Dangerous Substances to other individuals who were involved in the distribution of CDS, as well as utilizing an up-scale high-rise condominium complex in the downtown section of Jersey City to distribute CDS.
Rayfeal Roman has been charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-3; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5; Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; and Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S. 2C:21-25.
Additionally, on February 5, 2018, Rayfeal Roman pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess Marijuana, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S. 2C:35-10, which stemmed from an unrelated incident on July 24, 2017. His sentencing on that matter is scheduled for April 6, 2018.
Montalvo has been charged with two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances while within 1,000 feet of a school in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-7; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances while within 500 feet of a public park in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-7; Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; and Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug in violation of N.J.S 2C:35-10.
Hoang has been charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; and Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2.
Jose Roman has been charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; and Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2.
Joseph Marin has been charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2.
In addition to the arrests, officers seized approximately 2,500 grams of cocaine, more than $89,000 in United States currency and approximately 14 pounds of high-grade marijuana. The street value of the total quantity of narcotics seized is more than $160,000.
If convicted of the first-degree crime of being a Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, Rayfeal Roman faces life imprisonment with 25 years of parole ineligibility.
In addition to the NTF Officers, Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit for assisting in the searches and arrests.
The Prosecutor’s NTF is actively investigating this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prosecutor’s NTF at 201-915-1234 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Prosecutor’s official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/ . All information will be kept confidential.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).