PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Executive Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino
PHONE: (201) 795-6402
EMAIL: grubino@hcpo.org
DATE: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

MULTIPLE ARRESTS IN “DRUGS FOR GUNS” INVESTIGATION

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced today that a two-month criminal investigation initiated by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Special Investigations Unit, concluded early Tuesday morning with police operations throughout Jersey City, NJ. Law enforcement personnel from several local, federal and state agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Explosives (ATF), the Department of Homeland Security (HSI), the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey State Police assisted the Prosecutor’s Office in the execution of search and arrest warrants in connection with the investigation which authorities say is still ongoing.

In October of 2015, the Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit initiated an investigation into the allegations of firearms and narcotics trafficking in Jersey City and several other jurisdictions outside the State of New Jersey. The investigation led investigators to Jason Siek, 41, of Jersey City, NJ, the alleged leader behind the criminal enterprise. Officials say that Siek and his associates controlled the purchase of crystal methamphetamine and firearms from individuals residing in New York, Virginia and North Carolina.

During the investigation, investigators quickly determined that the group routinely traded narcotics for firearms which, in turn, would then be sold by Siek and his associates in and around the Jersey City area to further their narcotics distribution activities. During the investigation, ten firearms were recovered including an AR-15 assault rifle, as well as a shotgun, and, to date, one of the weapons recovered was reported stolen out of North Carolina.

During the early morning hours of Monday, December 14, 2015, with the assistance of the New Jersey State Police, Daquan J. Smith, 24, and Nyeamah J. Troutman, also 24, of Fayetteville, NC, were arrested while traveling from North Carolina into New Jersey. Investigators were aware through the investigation that the two were transporting firearms to New Jersey for distribution by Siek through Kasib Decker, 34 of Jersey City. Upon entering New Jersey, their vehicle was stopped by units of the New Jersey State Police on the New Jersey Turnpike. During the stop, the AR-15 assault rifle described above and a .45 caliber handgun were recovered from their vehicle. Also recovered was a high-capacity magazine, which is illegal in the State of New Jersey, ammunition, and loaded magazines. The two were charged with possession of these weapons, possession of CDS and several other offenses.

The investigation culminated with the arrests of the following Jersey City residents:

Jason Siek, 41
Kasib Decker, 34
Khalid Decker, 38
Ronald Parra, 21
Angel Grajales, 38
Kyle Saludes, 30
Dean Montelibano, 31
Tiffany Donofrio, 34

Siek and Kasib Decker were both charged with Leader of Firearms Trafficking Network, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and multiple counts for weapons offenses. Both are being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility in lieu of $300,000.00 cash only bail.

The additional individuals listed above are also being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Prosecutor Suarez credited the collaborative efforts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration – HIDTA, New Jersey State Police, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.

The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).

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