Newark, New Jersey, Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Robbing Stores In Essex and Hudson Counties

TRENTON, N.J. - A man who robbed 11 stores in Newark, Harrison and Jersey City between September 2012 and April 2013 was sentenced today to 240 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Christopher Mojica, 24, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano 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. Judge Pisano imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

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

Mojica conspired with others to rob commercial establishments as follows:

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 robbed the gas station attendant at gunpoint while a conspirator served as the “lookout.” Mojica fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun as he fled the scene.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Pisano sentenced Mojica to five years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Welling in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. 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.

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

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