Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Deputy Paterson Police Chief Heriberto Rodriguez announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department Ceasefire Unit, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Marcel Priest, 22, of Prospect Park, was arrested on August 29th in relation to a shooting incident that took place the same day.
Police charged Priest with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree; Providing a False Report to a Law Enforcement Officer, fourth degree, and Certain Persons not to Possess Weapons, second degree.
According to authorities, on August 29th, at approximately 8:10 p.m., Paterson Police officers were dispatched to the Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center on a report of a gunshot victim arriving at the Trauma Center for treatment.
Officers located Marcel Priest who had sustained a gunshot wound to his hand. The priest advised officers he had been shot, however, based upon an investigation it was determined that the wound was self-inflicted.
The sentencing exposure on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 3 1⁄2 years before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Fourth Degree Providing a False Report to a Law Enforcement Officer, it is 18 months New Jersey State prison; and on Second Degree Certain Persons not to Possess Weapons it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 5 years of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
Marcel Priest appeared Central Judicial Processing on August 30th, at which point the state filed a motion for pretrial detention that will be heard on September 5th before the Honorable Donna D. Gallucio, J.S.C.
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.