SIXTH ARREST MADE IN THE MAY 1, 2021 COORDINATED ATTACK THAT KILLED A 21-YEAR-OLD NEWARK, NEW JERSEY MAN
" Jaquan A. Thomas, Arrested & Charged With Murder, Conspiracy & Weapons Related Weapons Offenses Bringing The Number To 6 Arrested In The May 1, 2021 Murder Of Jose Figueroa."
October 8, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
PATERSON, NJ.- On Thursday, October 7, 2021 Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jaquan A. Thomas, 31-years old from Paterson, New Jersey was Arrested on September 28, 2021 in connection to the homicide which occurred on May 1, 2021 in the area of Totowa and Redwood Avenues in the City of Paterson.
Mr. Thomas has been Charged with First Degree Murder; First Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder; Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose; and Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.
On Saturday, May 1, 2021, at approximately 6:57 p.m., Members of The Paterson Police Department responded to the intersection of Totowa and Redwood Avenues in Paterson, New Jersey on a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, Police Officers located Jose Figueroa, 21, of Newark, New Jersey lying in the street with apparent gunshot wounds. Mr. Figueroa was immediately transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries and subsequently pronounced deceased.
The ensuing investigation determined that the shooting was a coordinated attack involving multiple shooters in multiple locations, and that Mr. Thomas was involved in the planning and ordering the others to conduct the shooting.
Mr. Thomas was taken into custody, without incident, by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Delaware and he waved his extradition to New Jersey. Several other individuals have been arrested in connection with the May 1, 2021 Murder of Mr. Figueroa: On June 1, 2021 Chelsee Ramirez, 19, Paterson, and a 17-Year-Old Juvenile Male, also from Paterson, were Arrested and Charged; on September 10, 2021 Ismael Leon, 19, from Paterson, and another 17-Year-Old Juvenile Male, from Clifton, were also Arrested and Charged; and on September 13, 2021, Jenna Peselli, 24, of Newton, surrendered to authorities and was also Charged in connection with the Murder of Mr. Figueroa.
Thomas is currently in custody at The Passaic County Jail. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion for pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a day and time to be determined by the Court.
If convicted, the crime of Murder has a sentencing range from a Minimum of 30 Years up to Life Imprisonment; Conspiracy to Commit Murder has a sentencing range of 10 to 20 Years in Prison; and the Crimes of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, both have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 Years in Prison with 42 Months to be served before parole eligibility.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact The Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact The Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, Which States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER OCTOBER 8, 2021: LAW, PASSAIC: