By: Richard L. Smith
Passaic County officials reported that at approximately 10:55 a.m. on December 16, Paterson Police officers stationed at John F. Kennedy High School responded to a fight involving multiple students.
After separating the students, a 17-year-old juvenile involved in the altercation was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun.
Officials say a 17-year-old juvenile actor was charged with offenses, which if committed by an adult, would constitute Second-Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose; Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun; Third-Degree Possession of a Firearm in an Educational Institution; Fourth-Degree Possession of Firearms by Minors; and two-counts of Fourth-Degree Prohibited Devices.
The juvenile was taken into custody pending further proceedings in Family Court.
Additionally, a 14-year-old juvenile involved in the fight was overheard by responding officers threatening to commit a shooting in the school.
According to Passaic County officials, a 14-year-old juvenile actor was charged with an offense that, if committed by an adult, would constitute, Third-Degree Terroristic Threats.
The teen was charged and released pending further proceedings in the Family Court.
Shortly after the altercation, responding officers located a 15-year-old juvenile hitting the school's front doors aggressively, demanding to enter.
However, he was unable to enter since the doors were secured and the school was placed on lockdown as a result of the fight.
Passaic County authorities said the 15-year-old juvenile was also overheard threatening to commit a shooting at the school.
At that time, the 15-year-old juvenile was accompanied by an 18-year-old male from Paterson, later identified as Mr. Desmar Ferguson.
The 15-year-old juvenile and Ferguson were both arrested outside the school, where they both possessed loaded handguns.
He was charged with offenses, which if committed by an adult, would constitute Second-Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose; Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun; Third-Degree Terroristic Threats; and Fourth-Degree Possession of Firearms by Minors.
The 15-year-old juvenile was taken into custody pending further proceedings in Family Court.
Passaic County Authorities charged Ferguson was charged by way of a warrant complaint with one-count each of Second-Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose; Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun; Third-Degree Receiving Stolen Property; Fourth-Degree Obstruction and Resisting Arrest, a Disorderly Persons Offense. Ferguson faces a sentencing exposure on Second-Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose of 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Passaic County officials say the juveniles face second-degree charges, which carry a maximum custodial term of three years in the custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission upon adjudication of delinquency, while the third-degree charges carry a maximum custodial term of two years. The fourth-degree charge carries a maximum custodial term of 12 months.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Department Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Assistant Prosecutor Bulent Can of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at BCan@passaiccountynj.org or at (973) 881-4819.