Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced today that a Franklin Township man has pleaded guilty to operating a drug trafficking network which distributed cocaine in multiple counties.
Officials said Michael “Augue” Rodriguez, 40, of the Somerset section of Somerset County pleaded guilty to a first degree count of being the leader of a narcotics trafficking network. Rodriguez pleaded guilty on April 30, 2018 before Supreme Court Judge Michael A. Toto. He also pleaded guilty to a first degree count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and a second degree count of certain persons not to possess a firearm.
Under a plea agreement reached with Middlesex County Assistant prosecutor Tzvi Dolinger and Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Arabelys Santos, Rodriguez is facing a prison term of 20 years in state prison of which he must serve 20 years before being eligible for parole.
“Just as prevention, education and treatment are important to our efforts to combat drug use, so too is effective law enforcement. Only by successfully investigating and prosecuting those who profit from the addiction of others, will we be able to address the current crisis,” Prosecutor Carey said.
Authorities said Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced in New Brunswick by Superior Court Judge Michael A. Toto on August 23, 2018.
According to officials, Michael Rodriguez was among twelve defendants who were arrested in multiple locations in May 2017 following a wiretap investigation and a series of court-ordered searches which resulted in the seizure of 900 grams of cocaine from Rodriguez’s home on Hillcrest Avenue, $100,000 in cash from locations in Somerset County and New York City, and 7 guns from a storage facility in Somerset.
Also pleading guilty in this case were Keith Groomes, 58, of Somerset. On December 14, 2017 he pleaded guilty to one count of second degree distribution of a controlled and dangerous substance in exchange for a recommendation of seven years in state prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2018.
According to authorities the following individuals also pleaded guilty:
Karon Dempsey, 36, of New Brunswick pleaded guilty on March 26, 2018, to one count of third degree possession of a controlled and dangerous substance exchange for a recommendation of four years in state prison with a two year period of parole ineligibility. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 3, 2018.
Dion Hooper, 47, of Somerset pleaded guilty on March 26, 2018, to one count of second degree possession with intent to distribute and one count of second degree eluding (from an unrelated case) in exchange for an aggregate recommendation of 14 years in state prison with a seven year term of parole ineligibility. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2018.
Sandra Carrion, 66, of Somerset pleaded guilty on April 13, 2018, one
count of second degree possession with intent to distribute in exchange for a recommendation of non-custodial probation. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2018.
Meghan Donato, 36, of Highland Park pleaded guilty on Apr. 13th, to improper behavior, a Petty Disorderly Persons offense, in exchange for a recommendation of fines only. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June14, 2018.
Carlos Landron, 47, of Saint Cloud, Florida was enrolled in the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI), on April 10, 2018 for a three year term.
The following defendants were charged as part of the investigation: Jamie Caban, 36, of East Rutherford; Brian Braxton, 47, of Somerset; Sean Thompson, 32 of North Brunswick; Kenneth Downing, 41, and Kelly Downing, 38, both of Bound Brook, still have pending charges in this case.
Anyone with information may call Detective Michael Coppola of the New Brunswick Police Department at (732) 745-5200, or Detective Joseph Celentano of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against the defendants are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.