Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Roberto Rodriguez, 21-years old, from Paterson, New Jersey, Mr. Kaleik Easton, 25-years old from Paterson, New Jersey, and Mr. D’ron Mims, 19-year old from Paterson, New Jersey were arrested in relation to a shooting investigation that took place September 7 in the area of Pacific Street and Levin Street Paterson, New Jersey, officials say.
According to officials, Rodriguez, Easton, and Mims are charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree; Armed Robbery, First Degree; Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Second Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Second Degree; and Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree.
Officials report that Mims is additionally charged with Possession of CDS, Third Degree (2 counts); Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute, Third Degree (3 Counts); Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute while within 1000 feet of a school, Third Degree (3 counts), and Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute while within 500 feet of certain public property, Second Degree (3 counts). These charges are in relation to his arrest on December 13.
On September 7, members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area Pacific Street and Levine Street Paterson, NJ on a report of a shooting, according to officials.
Officials say that upon arrival the police located a 35-year-old male Paterson resident who sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound. The victim was immediately transported to St Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson for treatment.
Based on the investigation, Rodriguez, Easton, and Mims were identified and charged in relation to this investigation, officials state. Rodriguez was arrested on September 8, Easton was arrested on September 18, and Mims was arrested on December 13.
According to officials, the sentencing exposure for Rodriguez, Easton, and Mims on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on Frist Degree Armed Robbery it is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 3 years parole supervision, 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; and 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.
The sentencing exposure for Mims on Third Degree Possession of CDS is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison, on Third Degree Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison, on Third Degree Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute while within 1000 feet of a school is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; and on Second Degree Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute while within 500 feet of certain public property is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison, officials report.
The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention on all three individuals, officials say.
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 Department at 973-321-1120.