By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that a Passaic County man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for his role in seven gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Passaic County.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Onijee Burgess, 26, of Paterson, is charged in a nine-count indictment.
Officials stated with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and three counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to officials, Burgess, who was previously charged by complaint and was detained, will be arraigned on a date to be determined.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From November 2022 through April 5, 2023, Burgess conspired with Antonio Rivera and others to commit seven separate armed robberies of five different pharmacies in Paterson and Passaic, officials said.
Authorities say law enforcement collected an extensive amount of video surveillance footage and cell phone data that ultimately linked Burgess and Rivera to the robberies. Rivera, Burgess’ conspirator, was previously charged by complaint and is detained.
The Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, officials say.
The conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, officials stated.
The using, carrying, and brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, authorities say. 
Officials say the using, carrying, and discharging of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which also must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.
Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greatest, officials stated.