July 21, 2014

Newark Man Pleads Guilty to 11 Armed Robberies in Essex and Hudson Counties

TRENTON, NJ—A Newark man today admitted his role in a series of 11 robberies in Newark, Harrison and Jersey City between September 2012 and April 2013, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Christopher Mojica, 23, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He entered his plea today before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Mojica conspired with others to rob New Jersey commercial establishments as follows:

New Barbershop

Newark

Sept. 14, 2012

Gambling Operation

Newark

Sept. 2012

Amcare Pharmacy

Newark

Nov. 13, 2012

Summer Pharmacy

Newark

Dec. 11, 2012

Community Health Pharmacy  

Newark

Jan. 19, 2013

Delson Jewelry

Newark

Feb. 8, 2013

Pharmacy Plus

Harrison

Feb. 21, 2013

Forest Hill Pharmacy

Newark

April 4, 2013

Montgomery Pharmacy

Jersey City  

April 15, 2013

Harris Pharmacy

Newark

April 16, 2013

Delta Gas Station

Newark

April 19, 2013

Mojica and his conspirators robbed each of these establishments at gunpoint, stealing cash, oxycodone pills, jewelry and other items. During the Delta Gas Station robbery on April 19, 2013, Mojica fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun during his flight from the scene of the robbery.

The Hobbs Act conspiracy and robbery charges to which Mojica pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a minimum consecutive term of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison. Each of these charges carries a statutory maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s plea. He also thanked the Newark, Harrison and Jersey City Police Departments, along with the Essex County and Hudson County Prosecutor’s Offices for their work on this case.

Sentencing before Judge Pisano is scheduled for Dec. 8, 2014.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Paulette Pitt Esq., Woodbridge, New Jersery