FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION 3 HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE MARCH 26th PASSAIC SHOOTING
" Kenneth Garcia, Luis Ledesma, & A 16-Year-Old Juvenile Have Been Charged With Over 100 Weapons & Narcotics Offenses."
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 5:30 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
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PASSAIC, NJ.- On Friday, April 7, 2023, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman jointly announced that following an investigation by Detectives of The Passaic Police Department in conjunction with Members of The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office has resulted in the Arrests of Kenneth Garcia, 21, Luis Ledesma, 22, and a 16-Year-Old Juvenile all from Passaic, New Jersey, in connection to a Shooting that occurred on March 26, 2023, in the area of Monroe Street and Myrtle Avenue in Passaic, New Jersey.
Mr. Garcia and Mr. Ledesma have each been Charged with Ten Counts of First Degree Murder; Ten Counts of First Degree Employing a Juvenile in The Commission of a Felony; Ten Counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault; Ten Counts of Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Two Counts of Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; Ten Counts of Third Degree Aggravated Assault; Ten Counts of Fourth Degree Aggravated Assault; Mr. Ledesma was also Charged with Second Degree Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons.
The 16-Year-Old Juvenile was Charged with Ten Counts of First Degree Attempted Murder; Ten Counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault; Ten Counts of Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Two Counts of Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; Ten Counts of Third Degree Aggravated Assault; and Ten Counts of Fourth Degree Aggravated Assault.
The Charges are a direct result of when on March 26, 2023, at approximately 10:10 p.m., Members of The Passaic Police Department responded to the area of Monroe Street and Myrtle Avenue on a report of a Shooting. The preliminary investigation revealed that while a group of Ten People were standing on Monroe Street, between Myrtle Avenue and Lucille Place a vehicle approached the group Firing Ten Gunshots at the Group, and then Fled the Scene.
A swift-moving investigation by Detectives of The Passaic Police Department and The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office were able to identify Mr. Garcia, Mr. Ledesma, and the 16-Year-Old Juveniles as Suspects, and the individuals responsible for the Shooting.
On Thursday, April 6, 2023, Court Authorized Search Warrants were Executed at multiple locations in Passaic, New Jersey, at the conclusion of the investigation.
Following the Execution of a Search Warrant on a residence in the area of 5th and Passaic Streets in Passaic, Kenneth Garcia was Additionally Charged with First Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; Second Degree Possession of a Weapon During a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense; Second Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute within 500 Feet of Public Property; Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute within 1000 Feet of School Property; Third Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance; Fourth Degree Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine; Fourth Degree Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition; and a Disorderly Persons Offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Following the Execution of a Court Authorized Search Warrant at a residence in the area of 3rd and Bergen Streets in Passaic, Mr. Ledesma, and the Juvenile were Additionally Charged with First Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute; Second Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance; Second Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute within 500 Feet of Public Property; Third Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute within 1000 Feet of School Property; Third Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance; Third Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute; Fourth Degree Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine; and Fourth Degree Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition.
If Convicted of The Charges, all Three Defendants will Face the potential sentencing exposure of up to 30 Years in New Jersey State Prison.
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office has Filed a Pretrial Detention Motion to have Mr. Garcia and Mr. Ledesma Detained pending the outcome of the Charges against them.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, That 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 APRIL 11, 2023: LAW, PASSAIC: