NEWARK, N.J. - A Newark, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 79 months in prison for trying to rob a Paterson, New Jersey, residence while dressed in a Passaic County Sheriff’s uniform, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Clemente R. Carlos, 30, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. Judge Cecchi imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Carlos admitted that on Aug. 12, 2015, he conspired with Jason Thompson, 34, of Paterson, to rob a Paterson home because they believed the resident kept cash proceeds from his distribution business at that location. At around 7:00 a.m. that day, Carlos and Thompson, both dressed in Passaic County Sherriff’s uniforms, accosted a female victim and her infant as the victim was leaving her residence in Paterson. The two men, posing as law enforcement officers, led the victim back into her apartment inside the residence.
Once inside, Thompson removed a firearm from a sidearm holster and pointed it at the victim’s brother, who had been sleeping inside the apartment. Thompson then used a zip-tie to restrain the man’s hands behind his back and instructed him to kneel on the floor. After searching the apartment and failing to find the money they were looking for, Thompson and Carlos left the residence.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Carlos to three years of supervised release.
Thompson was indicted March 22, 2017, on one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The allegations against him are merely accusations, and he is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, and members of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office and the Paterson Police Department for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamari Buxton of the U.S. Attorney’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
Defense counsel: Gary Cutler Esq., Newark
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
