Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announce that based upon an investigation by the Passaic Police Department, Franciso J. Martinez-Mendez, 21, from Passaic, was arrested on November 2, in relation to a shooting investigation that took place October 31, 2019 in the area of Third Street Passaic, Mr. Martinez-Mendez is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Second Degree; Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree; Aggravated Assault, Third Degree; and Criminal Mischief (2 Counts), 4th Degree.
Police say on Halloween night, members of the Passaic Police Department responded to the area of Third Street Passaic, on a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival members of the Passaic Police Department located evidence of a crime scene.
During the initial investigation it was determined shots were fired in the direction of a residence, but no one was injured.
Based on the investigation Mr. Martinez-Mendez was charged and arrested on November 2, 2019.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Martinez-Mendez on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; on Third Degree Aggravated Assault it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; and on each count of 4th Degree Criminal Mischief it is up to 18 months New Jersey State Prison.
The State intends to file a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge.