Mercer County, N.J., Man Admits Robbery Conspiracy

TRENTON, N.J. - A Mercer County, N.J., man today admitted his role in the March 2013 robbery of a commercial establishment, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Felix M. Lugo, 39, formerly of Trenton, N.J., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.   

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

Lugo conspired with Arturo Delacruz, 35, and Samuel Matias Cruz, 33, both of Trenton, to rob the Rapido Flores Multiservices Agency in Trenton. Lugo and Cruz committed the robbery, during which at least one victim was physically assaulted and restrained. Lugo and Cruz stole more than $6,000 and fled the scene in a vehicle driven by Delacruz.

Delacruz and Cruz were previously arrested by special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on criminal complaints charging each with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. Those charges remain pending.  

The Hobbs Act conspiracy to which Lugo pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, as well as a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss arising out of the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2014.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stephanie R. Shoemaker; the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr.; the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi; troopers from N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes; the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Ralph Rivera Jr.; and the Westampton Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Ricky W. Smith, for their investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis C. Carletta of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Henry E. Klingeman Esq., Newark

Lugo, Felix Information