A Dominican Republic citizen has pleaded guilty to participating in a kidnapping that took place in Paterson, New Jersey. Joel Ramon Garcia, 33, entered his plea on September 9 before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini at the federal court in Newark. He faces sentencing on January 20, 2026.
Court documents and statements indicate that on November 15, 2023, Garcia and another individual kidnapped two people at gunpoint in Paterson. The victims were then transported to Massachusetts and held for ransom. Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the father of one victim and threatened to cut off the victim’s fingers if a ransom was not paid. The victims were released around November 17, 2023.
The kidnapping charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba acknowledged the work of law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation: "I credit members of the FBI’s New Jersey field office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the charges." She also thanked agents from the FBI’s Boston field office led by Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks; officers from Paterson Police Department led by Officer in Charge Patrick Murray; Passaic County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Thomas Adamo; Clifton Police Department under Chief Thomas Rinaldi; Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under Prosecutor Mark Musella; and Cedar Grove Police Department under Chief Francis Pumphrey for their assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Maloy (Organized Crime and Gangs Unit) and Carolyn Silane (Deputy Chief of Economic Crimes Unit) are prosecuting for the government.
Garcia is represented by defense counsel Michael Rubas.
