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TRENTON
– A Newark man was indicted today
on charges including first-degree possession
of cocaine with intent to distribute as
a result of an investigation by the Division
of Criminal Justice, Attorney General Anne
Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Deborah
L. Gramiccioni announced.
According
to Director Gramiccioni, Juan Castro, 25,
of Newark, was charged in a four-count state
grand jury indictment with possession of
cocaine with intent to distribute (1st degree),
possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
within 1,000 feet of a school (3rd degree),
possession of cocaine (3rd degree), and
resisting arrest (3rd degree).
The
case was investigated by the Division of
Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime
Bureau. It was presented to the state grand
jury by Deputy Attorney General Suzanne
McElwreath.
Castro
was arrested on Nov. 15, 2007 on South 11th
Street in Newark, near the John F. Kennedy
School. As a result of the investigation,
detectives from the Division of Criminal
Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau
believed Castro would be delivering a large
quantity of cocaine to a location on that
street.
When
Castro got out of his car, detectives approached
him with badges displayed and asked to speak
to him regarding a narcotics investigation.
Castro ran, and when detectives caught him,
he allegedly kicked and punched them. Castro
allegedly had approximately 13 ounces of
cocaine in his possession in plastic bags
in an open cargo pocket of his jacket.
Detective
Kevin Weinkauff, Lt. Charles Foley and Detective
Louis Renshaw conducted the investigation
for the Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau.
First-degree
charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years
in prison and a fine of $500,000, while
third-degree charges carry a maximum sentence
of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
The indictment is merely an accusation and
the defendant is presumed innocent until
proven guilty.
The
indictment was handed up to Superior Court
Judge Maria Marinari Sypek in Mercer County,
who assigned the case to Essex County.
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