Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Leighmeir Singletary, 19, from Paterson, was arrested on Tuesday in relation to a shooting investigation that took place on January 11, 2020 in the area of Summer Street in Paterson.
Police say, on that date, at approximately 2:45 a.m., members of the Paterson Police Department were notified that a shooting had occurred in the area of Summer Street and Godwin Avenue.
According to police, a crime scene was located, which included ballistics evidence and a blood trail.
The victim was located at St. Joseph’s Hospital suffering from non-life threatening injuries.
Based on an ensuing investigation, Leighmeir Singletary was identified as the gunman and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Police said at approximately 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Paterson Police Detectives observed Mr. Singletary in the area of 51 Godwin Street.
He was apprehended after a brief foot chase and was found to be in possession of 42 envelopes of heroin.
As a result, Mr. Singletary is charged with Third Degree Possession of Heroin, Third Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Third Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin within 1,000 Feet of a School, and Second Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin within 500 Feet of Public Property.
Police said Mr. Singletary is also charged with Second Degree Eluding for an incident that occurred on March 16, at approximately 4:51, p.m. in the area of Summer Street Paterson, Mr. Signletary was not apprehended at that time and arrest warrant was issued.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Singletary is 10 to 20 years with an 85 percent parole disqualifier pursuant to the No Early Release Act (NERA) for First Degree Attempted Murder; 10 to 20 years with an 85 percent parole disqualifier pursuant to NERA for First Degree Armed Robbery; 5 to 10 years with a minimum period of 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act for Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun; 5 to 10 years with a minimum of 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act for Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose; and 5 to 10 years with an 85 percent parole disqualifier pursuant to NERA for Second Degree Aggravated Assault.
The Defendant is facing 3 to 5 years imprisonment for each of the third degree narcotics charges and 5 to 10 years imprisonment for Second Degree Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute within 500 Feet of Public Property.
He is facing an additional 5 to 10 years of incarceration for the charge of Second Degree Eluding the Police in a Motor Vehicle.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by Judge a Superior Court Judge.
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 Paterson Police Ceasefire Unit at 973-321-1342.