Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic Police Department, Luis A. Ledesma, 18, of Passaic, and a 15-year-old juvenile were arrested Jan. 3rd, in connection with a shooting that took place New Year’s Day.
According to authorities, on Jan. 1st, members of the Passaic Police Department responded to the area of Third Street and Bergen Street on a report of shots fired.
Upon arrival, the police located a possible crime scene but were unable to locate a victim. The victim was later identified as an 18-year-old Passaic male who was the target, but not injured.
Further investigation, identified Luis Ledesma and the 15-year-old juvenile as suspects in the shooting. Police arrested Ledesma and the juvenile on Jan. 3rd in the area of Washington Place and Passaic Street.
Authorities charged Ledesma with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Conspiracy, First Degree; Aggravated Assault, Third Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree.
The 15-year-old juvenile is charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Conspiracy, First Degree; Aggravated Assault, Second Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree; Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree; Aggravated Assault, Third Degree; and Criminal Mischief, Fourth Degree.
The disposition exposure for the juvenile on First Degree Attempted Murder is four years care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission; on First Degree Conspiracy it is four years care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission; on Second Degree Aggravated Assault it is three years care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, it is three years care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission; on Second Degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose it is three years care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission, on Third Degree Aggravated Assault it is two years care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission; and on Fourth Degree Criminal Mischief it is one year care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention for Mr. Ledesma that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge.
The juvenile complaint is docketed within the Superior Court Family Division. Juvenile proceedings pursuant to New Jersey law must remain confidential. Therefore, the juvenile cannot be identified.
Criminal and juvenile complaints are 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 Passaic Police Department at 973-365-3900.