Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik, and Haledon Township Police Chief Angelo J. Daniele announce the arrest of Mr. Michael Mitchell, 40, of Paterson, in connection with the January 3th domestic- related shooting in the area of Cook Street and Belmont Avenue in the Township of Haledon.
Pilice alleged that Mitchell inflicted multiple gunshot wounds upon a victim, who will remain unidentified pursuant to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. The victim is being treated at St. Joseph’s Trauma Center in Paterson.
Authorities said the arrest of Mitchell, which occurred during the evening hours of January 5th is the result of the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies who, upon immediately learning of the shooting, worked around-the-clock, extending multiple resources to identify and ultimately locate Mitchell.
Mitchell faces multiple charges which include Attempted Murder, in the first degree; Possession of a Weapon, namely a handgun, for an Unlawful Purpose, in the second degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, namely a handgun, in the second degree; Aggravated Assault in the second degree; Endangering an Injured Victim, in the third degree; Terroristic Threats in the third degree; Possession of a Defaced Firearm in the fourth degree; and Criminal Restraint, in the third degree.
If convicted, Mitchell faces a potential New Jersey State Prison term of up to 20 years on the Attempted Murder charge with 85 percent of the sentence having to be served before becoming eligible for parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act.
The Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and the Unlawful Possession of a Weapon charge, carry a maximum of ten years in prison with potentially five years of the sentence having to be served before becoming eligible for parole.
The Aggravated Assault charge, carries a maximum of ten years in prison, with 85 percent of the sentence having to be served before becoming eligible for parole.
The third degree offenses carry up to five years in prison, and up to eighteen months of imprisonment on the fourth degree offenses.
Mitchell’s First Appearance was conducted on January 6, 2018, before the Honorable Thomas F. Brunt, J.M.C.
A motion to detain Mitchell has been filed by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
The detention hearing will be conducted on January 10, 2018, at 9 am before the Honorable Donna J. Galluccio, J.S.C.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation. Michael Mitchell is presumed innocent of all charges unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.