Authorities from Bergen County recently arrested a retired member of the Paterson Police Department for allegedly selling Oxycodone pills to an undercover detective.
43-year-old former Paterson Police Officer Gines Rodriguez, of Pompton Lakes, is said to have sold Oxycodone pills to an undercover detective at an initial meeting in Fair Lawn. Shortly thereafter, investigators scheduled another meeting, to be held at a Walgreens pharmacy located on Van Houten Avenue.
At the subsequent meeting, which occurred on Wednesday April 22nd, authorities arrested Rodriguez, who was allegedly in possession of suspected Oxycodone pills, Percocet, and marijuana at the time. He was also reportedly found with three handguns, including a 40-caliber Glock, a 9-millimeter Heckler and Koch, and a 25-caliber Colt.
Rodriguez is now facing charges for unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm while committing a drug crime, and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. He was being held at the Bergen County Jail on bail amounting to $25,000.
Due to the crimes for which he is accused, Rodriguez is exposed to a lengthy term of incarceration, along with a mandatory period of parole ineligibility. For example, possession of a firearm while committing a drug crime is a second degree felony, governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1(a). This charge is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 10 years.
Notably, the statute also mandates that any term of incarceration imposed in connection with a conviction for this offense, often termed a “drugs and guns” violation, must be served consecutively, as opposed to concurrently, with any other sentences imposed for other violations, such as those for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance or unlawful possession of a weapon. Essentially, this means that if convicted of a drugs and guns violation, Rodriguez must complete the term associated with this sentence before beginning any term associated with a conviction for another charge.
For additional information regarding this matter, view the following article: Retired Paterson cop sold pills to undercover detective, prosecutor says
