12-03-2003 -- Rivera, Jose "JR" -- Sentencing -- News Release

Jose "JR" Rivera Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Camden Drug Gang

CAMDEN - Jose "JR" Rivera was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison today in connection with his leadership role in the Rivera/Febo/Figueroa drug gang that distributed cocaine through multiple locations in Camden, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez also ordered Rivera, 44, formerly of Cherry Hill, to serve five years of supervised release upon the completion of his prison sentence and to pay $200,000 in fines. Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Under Sentencing Guidelines, defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all of that time.

Rivera has been in prison since his arrest in February 1998.

Rivera was the lead defendant of 18 drug organization members who either pleaded guilty or were convicted in connection with their roles in a cocaine distribution organization that operated in Camden's notorious "Alley" for nearly 10 years, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin T. Smith.

"Drug gangs like the Rivera organization are a blight on Camden," Christie said. "They peddle poison, frighten residents and stifle a city undergoing a resurgence. While JR's sentencing signals the end of a very successful prosecution, cases such as those against the Perez and Tuten/Paulk organizations are reminders that more work lies ahead through cooperation among law enforcement agencies at all levels."

Rivera was convicted by jury of being a leader of the Rivera/Febo/Figueroa organization that managed and supplied drugs for two of the city's notorious drug distribution locations:

• the "Alley," an area between the rear of homes on Morse and Boyd Streets, bordered by Bank Street and Baird Boulevard near the McGuire Public House Development; and

• the "33rd Street Set," a drug distribution location at 33rd Street and Westfield Avenue by the Woodrow Wilson Arms Apartments.

Rivera was arrested on Feb. 25, 1998, at his store, JR's Custom Auto Parts, in Camden. Rivera was convicted on Feb. 29, 2000, of two counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to distribution more than of five kilograms of cocaine. The jury also forfeited to the United States Rivera's businesses at 2106 A&B, Carman St., and over $236,000 in drug proceeds found in a safe at the store.

After his conviction, Rivera cooperated with the U.S. Attorney's Office and as a result testified in a trial against former Camden City Mayor Milton Milan. As part of Rivera's cooperation agreement, he agreed to forfeit a residential property located at 1866 43rd St. in Pennsauken, and a fine of at least $150,000.

In sentencing Rivera, Judge Rodriguez noted that without the U.S. Government's downward departure motion which detailed Rivera's cooperation and truthful testimony in the trial of former Mayor Milton Milan and other cases, the court could not have varied from the statutory range of 360 months to life under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Rodriguez determined the actual sentence based upon a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offense and the defendant's criminal history, if any.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI in Philadelphia, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Lampinski; Special Agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation section, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia J. Haynes; Investigators with the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi, and Camden City Police, under the direction of Chief Edwin Figueroa, with developing the case. Christie also credited Special Agents of the DEA in Puerto Rico for their assistance in the investigation.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin T. Smith and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally M. Smith, of the U.S. Attorney's Criminal Division in Camden.

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Defense Attorney: Marc Neff, Esq. Philadelphia