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TRENTON
– Attorney General Anne Milgram and
Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni
announced that two Camden men were indicted
today on first-degree cocaine charges as a
result of an investigation by the New Jersey
State Police that led to the seizure of more
than two kilograms of cocaine.
According
to Director Gramiccioni, the Division of Criminal
Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau
obtained a nine-count state grand jury indictment
charging Willie Taylor, 29, and Jose Olavarria,
35, both of Camden. An investigation by the
State Police Street Gangs South Unit revealed
that Taylor was allegedly dealing cocaine
from the clubhouse of the Wheels of Soul Motorcycle
Club on Princess Avenue in Camden. Taylor,
a member of the club, allegedly obtained cocaine
from Olavarria.
The
State Police arrested Taylor and Olavarria
in the early morning hours of Aug. 24, 2007.
Detectives stopped Taylor’s car as he
was leaving Olavarria’s house on Kaighns
Avenue, where he allegedly purchased two kilograms
of cocaine from Olavarria. Detectives obtained
a search warrant and searched the car, where
they allegedly found approximately two kilograms
of cocaine (71 ounces). Two kilograms of cocaine
have a street value of more than $50,000.
Olavarria was arrested shortly after Taylor
as he left his house. Detectives executed
a search warrant at Olavarria’s house
and allegedly found another 7 ounces of cocaine,
a .380-caliber handgun loaded with hollow
point bullets, and a 9 mm handgun.
The
indictment charges both Taylor and Olavarria
with conspiracy (2nd degree) and possession
of cocaine with intent to distribute (1st
degree). In addition, the indictment charges
Olavarria with distribution of cocaine (1st
degree), distribution of cocaine within 1,000
feet of a school (3rd degree), 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), two counts of possession of
a weapon during the commission of certain
crimes (2nd degree), and possession of a gun
by a convicted felon (2nd degree).
The
investigation was led by Detective Michael
Flory the New Jersey State Police Street Gangs
South Unit. The case was presented to the
state grand jury by Deputy Attorney General
Jill Mayer of the Division of Criminal Justice
Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau.
First-degree
crimes carry a maximum sentence of 20 years
in state prison and a $500,000 fine, while
second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence
of 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.
Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence
of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
The drug charges and the charge of possession
of a gun by a convicted felon carry a period
of parole ineligibility of one-third to one-half
of the sentence imposed.
The
indictment is merely an accusation and the
defendants are presumed innocent until proven
guilty.
The
indictment was handed up to Superior Court
Judge Pedro J. Jimenez Jr. in Mercer County,
who assigned the case to Camden County.
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