Passaic County authorities said based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Ubaldo Nunez, 27-year-old from Paterson, was arrested in relation to the homicide which occurred on March 24, 2015, at 780 East 19th Street in the City of Paterson.
Police say Mr. Nunez was indicted on February 2, 2016, for the crimes of Murder, first degree; Attempted Murder, first degree; two counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree; and Unlawful Possession of a weapon, second degree.
Authorities say on March 24, 2015, at approximately 7:38 p.m., police responded 780 East 19th Street in the City of Paterson in response to a report of a shooting.
Upon their arrival, officers located a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was later identified as 31-year-old Mr. Francisco Maldonado, also known as Jose R. Cabrera, from Paterson.
EMS transported Mr. Maldonado to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center Emergency Room in Paterson, where he succumbed to his injuries after a lengthy surgery.
Authorities say the investigation revealed that Nunez walked by the victim and another male-individual standing with him in the area of 780 East 19th Street and fired several shots at them, Nunez then fled the area.
The investigation also revealed that soon after the shooting, Nunez fled to the Dominican Republic, where he has been a fugitive for over four (4) years.
While Nunez was a fugitive, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Marshals provided assistance to Passaic County law enforcement authorities, which was instrumental in locating and eventually apprehending this fugitive. Ultimately, on Sunday, in a joint effort by the DHS, The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), The Port Authority Police, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Paterson Police Department, Nunez was taken into custody by the CBP as he attempted to re-enter the United States on a flight from the Dominican Republic to Newark.
Agents from CBP took Nunez into custody at the gate in Newark without incident. Without the assistance and cooperation of the DHS, U.S. Marshals, the CBP, the Port Authority Police Department, the Paterson Police, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, Nunez would not have been apprehended.
Nunez is currently in custody at the Passaic County Jail. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion for pre-trial detention that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a later date.
A criminal indictment is merely a step in the proceedings to bring a suspect to trial. Despite this indictment, the defendant is 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 Detective Bureau at 973-3211120.