Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces the Trystal Lozada, 27, formerly of Bronx, NY, and Michael Ramirez, 38, formerly of Passaic, were found guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault and related charges for November 5, 2012, repeated sexual assault of a dancer at Mr. B’s Gentleman’s Club
that Trystal Lozada, in Passaic.
Officials say, both are guilty of three counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault, First Degree, two counts of Sexual Assault, Second Degree, two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, Third Degree, and two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact, Fourth Degree.
Michael Ramirez was also found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Sexual Assault, Second Degree.
The eight-week trial took place in Passaic County Superior Court before the Honorable Marybel Mercado-Ramirez, J.S.C.
The sexual assault took place on November 5, 2012, inside Mr. B’s Gentleman’s Club in Passaic after the club closed for the evening.
The State contends that the victim, a former dancer at Mr. B’s, was drugged by one of the managers of the club, rendering her mentally incapacitated and physically helpless,
On December 20, 2019, a jury found Trystal Lozada and Michael Ramirez
at which point she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by the defendants and others
inside of the establishment.
The victim reported the sexual assault to the Passaic Police Department the next day, and she was taken to the hospital for examination. Portions of the sexual assault were videotaped by one of the participants.
The videotape was subsequently recovered by the Passaic Police Department and introduced into evidence during the trial.
The defendants were remanded to Passaic County Jail on December 20, 2019, by Judge Mercado-Ramirez and are scheduled to appear for sentencing on March
13, 2020.
The count of Aggravated Sexual Assault carries a maximum sentence of
20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility.
Sexual Assault carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility.
The crime of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Sexual Assault carries with it a maximum sentence of 10 years in the New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility. Convictions for Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault and Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Sexual Assault, all subject a defendant to the provisions of Megan’s Law and Parole Supervision for Life, upon release from prison.
The crime of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in the New Jersey State Prison.
The crime of Criminal Sexual Contact carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in the New Jersey State Prison.
Ms. Lozada was represented by Gregory Aprile, Esq. and Mr. Ramirez was
represented by Paul Condon, Esq. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Gina Pfund and Senior
Assistant Prosecutor Anneris Hernandez of the Passaic County Sexual Investigations Unit represented the State.
Codefendant Miguel Delacruz pleaded guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault, First Degree and was sentenced by Judge Mercado-Ramirez on February 14, 2018, to 12 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility. Codefendant Ashley Maldonado pleaded guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault, First Degree and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Mercado- Ramirez on February 28, 2020. Codefendant Luis Guzman is scheduled for trial on January 27, 2020, before Judge Mercado-Ramirez.