Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Deputy Chief Troy Oswald announce that on April 7, 2017, the Paterson Police Department working in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, arrested Jose V. Soto, age 19, of East Orange and formally charged him for the March 27th stabbing death of Wilson DeJesus Puerta-Ledezma, age 52, of Paterson.
According to authorities, it is alleged that on March 27th, at approximately 11:00 pm, the Paterson Police Department responded to a basement apartment within the 200 block of 20th Ave. on a report of a deceased individual.
Paterson police officers observed a Hispanic male, later identified as Wilson DeJesus Puerta-Ledezma, covered in blood authorities said.
The victim appeared to have received multiple stab wounds.
Late last night, Soto had been arrested on unrelated charges by the Woodland Park Police Department, who contacted the Paterson Police Department when it was discovered that Soto may be connected to the March 27th fatal stabbing in Paterson.
As a result of the investigation conducted by detectives from the Paterson Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Soto was today arrested and charged for the March 27th fatal stabbing in Paterson.
Soto is charged with one count of Aggravated Manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of thirty (30) years imprisonment, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA) – which requires eighty-five percent (85%) of the sentence to be served without parole.
Soto is also charged with one count of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, a crime of the Third Degree, with a maximum sentencing exposure of five (5) years in prison.
Last, Soto is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, a crime of the Fourth Degree, with a maximum sentencing exposure of eighteen (18) months in prison.
The First Appearance in this matter is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, April 8, 2017, at 1:30 pm, before the Honorable Joseph C. Perconti.
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.
Anyone with additional information may also contact the Paterson Police Department Detective Bureau at (973) 321-1120.