Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Mark P. Centurione announce that based upon an investigation by the Clifton Police Department, in conjunction with Passaic Police Department, Noel Santos, 33-years-old from Paterson, was arrested on June 12, in relation to an investigation into a shooting that took place on January 14, 2019, in the area of Route 46 West/Rt 21 South in Clifton.
Police say Mr. Rodriguez is charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree, Aggravated Assault, Fourth Degree, Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Second Degree.
According to January 14th members of the Clifton Police Department responded to the area of Main Avenue/Temple Street Passaic on a report of a shooting that occurred in Clifton NJ.
Upon arrival the police located a crime scene and two victims, a 46-year-old North Arlington resident and a 19-year-old North Arlington resident. Based on the investigation Mr. Santos was identified as the shooter but was not on scene.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Santos on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of those terms to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on Fourth Degree Aggravated Assault it is 18 months New Jersey State Prison with 18 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Second Degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 5 years of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; and on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Firearm it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
Mr. Santos is currently in the custody of the Passaic County Jail and is scheduled to appear at Central Judicial Processing (CJP Court) today.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 17, 2019.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.
Despite this accusation, defendants are 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 Clifton Police Department at 973-470-5900.