DOMINICAN NATIONAL CONFESSES TO GUNPOINT KIDNAPPING IN PATERSON

NEWARK, N.J. — Joel Ramon Garcia, a 33-year-old Dominican Republic citizen, pleaded guilty to his involvement in a kidnapping scheme in Paterson, New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. The guilty plea was entered on September 9 before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court, with sentencing scheduled for January 20, 2026.

Court documents and statements reveal that on November 15, 2023, Garcia and an accomplice abducted two victims at gunpoint in Paterson. The perpetrators transported the victims to Massachusetts, where they were held for ransom. The kidnappers escalated their demands by contacting the father of one victim, threatening to mutilate the victim’s fingers if the ransom was not paid. The victims were released two days later, on November 17, 2023.

Garcia faces a potential life sentence and a fine of up to $250,000 for the kidnapping charge.Acting U.S. Attorney Habba commended the FBI’s New Jersey field office, led by Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, for spearheading the investigation. She also acknowledged the contributions of the FBI’s Boston field office, the Paterson Police Department, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the Clifton Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Cedar Grove Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Maloy of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and Carolyn Silane, Deputy Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.