By: Richard L. Smith
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Cesar Campos, 49, previously of Newark, of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree aggravated manslaughter, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
On May 24, 2009, the defendant and his conspirators killed Ricky Lauracuent utilizing a knife outside of the Pink Cat Lounge located at 386 Park Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.
The mother of his children witnessed the horrific incident.
Shortly afterwards, Mr. Campos fled to the Dominican Republic to evade law enforcement.
Through the efforts of the Newark Police Department, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the United States Marshal’s Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mr. Campos was located in the Dominican Republic in 2020 and taken into custody.
He was extradited to the United States over eleven years after the murder took place.
The case was tried by a jury in May and June of 2024. On June 12, 2024, the jury returned a verdict on the above counts.
The matter is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Ronald D. Wigler on September 6, 2024. Mr. Campos faces up to thirty (30) years in prison.
“Mr. Lauracuent’s family waited a long time for justice in this matter, but thanks to the tireless efforts of our state and federal partners, Mr. Campos will be held accountable for his crimes,” according to Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Carlo Fioranelli, who tried the case for the State and added “Our investigators worked on this case for over fifteen years to ensure that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office did everything in its power to bring justice to the victim’s family. I hope the jury verdict gives the family a sense of peace and closure in this tragic situation.”