Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald, and Passaic County Sherriff Richard H. Berdnik announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and Passaic County Sherriff’s Department, Ben Brockington, 56, from Paterson, was arrested on December 21, 2019 in relation to a shooting investigation that took place September 15, 2019.
Mr. Brockington is charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Second Degree; and Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree in relation to the September 15, 2019 incident.
In addition Mr. Brockington is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Second Degree (2 Counts); Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree (2 Counts); Possession of a Firearm While Committing a CDS Offense, Second Degree (2 Counts); Possession of CDS, Fourth Degree; Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute, Fourth Degree; and Possession CDS with the Intent to Distribute while within a 1000 feet of school property Third Degree. These charges are in relation to his arrest on December 21.
Police say on September 15, members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area of Market Street Paterson, NJ on a report of a shooting victim.
Upon arrival the police located an 18-year-old male Paterson resident who sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound.
The victim was immediately transported to St Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson for treatment.
Based on the investigation Mr. Brockington was identified as the individual who shot the victim.
Police say on today, Mr. Brockington was arrested by members of the Passaic County Sherriff’s Department during a motor vehicle stop in the area of Fair Street Paterson.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Brockington on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on each count of Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months
before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on each count of Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on each count of Second Degree Possession of a Handgun while committing a CDS Offense it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison; on Fourth Degree Possession of CDS it is up to 18 months New Jersey State Prison; on Fourth Degree Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute it is up to 18 months New Jersey State Prison; and on Third Degree Possession CDS with the Intent to Distribute While within a 1000 feet of school Property is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 at 973-321-1120.