Dominican National Admits to Role in Kidnapping

NEWARK, N.J. – A citizen of the Dominican Republic admitted his role in a Paterson, New Jersey, kidnapping, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Joel Ramon Garcia, 33, pleaded guilty on September 9, before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court to an Indictment charging him with kidnapping.  The sentencing date is scheduled for January 20, 2026.

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

On or about November 15, 2023, Garcia and another individual kidnapped two victims at gun point in Paterson, New Jersey, and then drove the victims to Massachusetts, where they held the victims for ransom.  Shortly after the kidnapping or about November 15, 2023, the kidnappers contacted the father of one of the victims and threatened that the victim’s fingers would be cut off if the ransom was not paid.  The kidnappers ultimately released the victims on or about November 17, 2023.

The charge of kidnapping carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited 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 members of the FBI’s Boston field office under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks, the Paterson Police Department, under the leadership of Officer in Charge Patrick Murray, members of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Thomas Adamo, members of the Clifton Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Prosecutor Mark Musella, and members of the Cedar Grove Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Francis Pumphrey with their help in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Maloy of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and Carolyn Silane, Deputy Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Michael Rubas, Esq.