Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and Rockaway Borough Police Chief Conrad Pepperman announce the guilty pleas of three males in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred on the evening of October 21, 2018, in Victory Gardens.
According to authorities, on Feb. 11th, Victor Hernandez, 20, with a last known address in Rockaway Borough, entered a guilty plea to second degree Conspiracy to commit Armed Robbery. The Honorable Catherine I. Enright, J.S.C. presided over the guilty plea.
The State will recommend that Hernandez be sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the eighty-five percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.
Officials say on February 11th, Marlon Martinez, 23, also with a last known address in Rockaway Borough, entered a guilty plea to second degree Conspiracy to commit Armed Robbery. The Honorable Catherine I. Enright, J.S.C. presided over the guilty plea. The State will recommend that Martinez be sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the eighty-five percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.
According to authorities, on Feb. 27th, Carlos Rodriguez, 22, with a last known address in Victory Gardens, New Jersey, entered a guilty plea to first degree Armed Robbery. The Honorable Donald G. Collester, J.S.C. (retired and temporarily on recall) presided over the guilty plea. The State will recommend that Rodriguez be sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the eighty-five percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.
In pleading guilty, the defendants admitted to entering a residence located in Victory Gardens on the evening of October 21, 2018. It is alleged that the residence was occupied by the leaseholder and two guests. Hernandez and Martinez both acknowledged that they were armed with weapons, specifically metal pipes, and that they had agreed with Rodriguez and one another to enter the residence to commit theft. Rodriguez acknowledged that he entered the residence with the two other males, both of whom were armed with metal pipes. Rodriguez further acknowledged that he stole a safe and metal chains from the residence while the other males used the metal pipes to threaten the victims.
All three defendants continue to be lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility. Sentencing for all three individuals has been scheduled for March 29, 2019 before the Honorable Catherine I. Enright, J.S.C. The State is represented by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn in this matter.