FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Friday, July 7, 2017
NTF INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FIVE ARRESTS, LARGE SEIZURE OF DRUGS
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
Following a three-month investigation, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force arrested five individuals in June, charging them with various offenses that included narcotics and firearms offenses.
Four individuals, Francis DonMartin, age 39, of Jersey City; Frederick Mable, age 37, of Jersey City; Bruce Taylor, age 37, of Roselle; and Willie Montgomery, age 54, of Jersey City, were arrested on June 30, 2017. Khalil Caldwell, age 24, of East Orange, was arrested on June 19, 2017.
During the investigation, detectives determined that DonMartin was an alleged organizational leader of a narcotics trafficking network operating in Jersey City that distributed large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. DonMartin allegedly supplied Controlled Dangerous Substances to other individuals who were involved in the distribution of CDS, as well as utilizing a storefront to distribute narcotics.
Taylor is currently on parole after being recently released from state prison where he served approximately 18 years for an aggravated manslaughter conviction. Mable is currently on probation.
In addition to the arrests, officers seized approximately 635 grams of suspected heroin/fentanyl, more than 7,600 capsules containing suspected heroin, approximately 350 bags of suspected heroin, approximately 580 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 190 vials of suspected cocaine, and more than four pounds of suspected high-grade marijuana. The street value of the total quantity of narcotics seized is approximately $125,000.
Additionally, one vehicle, a stolen CPX 9mm handgun and approximately $20,000 in United States currency were seized.
DonMartin was charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-3; Maintaining or Operating a Drug Manufacturing Facility for Heroin in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-4; Maintaining or Operating a Drug Manufacturing Facility for Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-4; Maintaining a Fortified Structure for Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-4; six counts of Possesion with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5; six counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances while within 1000 feet of a school in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-7; Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-4; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-5; Possession of a Firearm While Committing a CDS Offense in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-4.1; Certain Person not to Possess a Firearm in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-7; Receiving Stolen Property, a firearm, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-7; three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S. 2C:24-4; Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S. 2C:21-25; and two counts of Resisting Arrest in violation of N.J.S. 2C:29-2.
Mable was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2.
Taylor was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2.
Montgomery was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5; and Concealing Physical Evidence in violation of N.J.S. 2C:28-6.
Caldwell was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-5 and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine while within 1000 feet of a school in violation of N.J.S. 2C:35-7a.
If convicted of the first-degree crime of being a Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, DonMartin faces life imprisonment with 25 years of parole ineligibility.
In addition to the NTF Officers, Prosecutor Suarez credited the Jersey City Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the New Jersey State Parole Board for assisting with the searches and arrests.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).