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The third of four defendants to plead guilty in the case, 31-year-old Juan Roque told a judge in Hackensack that he and fellow trucking company employee Carlos Marroquin made the delivery.
He also agreed to testify against Marroquin, who is due in court Monday to announce whether he’s taking a plea, as well, or going to trial.
Juan Roque (STORY / PHOTOS: Mary K. Miraglia, CLIFFVIEW PILOT Courthouse Reporter)
Questioned by defense attorney Adam Lustberg, Roque admitted driving the truck to a warehouse in Metuchen while Marroquin worked the phone arranging the sale.
Waiting for them at the Middlesex County warehouse were their local contacts, Cesar E. Perez and Divanos A. Mendoza, both of New York City, he said.
After they pulled in, Roque said, all four removed the drugs and loaded the cash onto the truck.
As they began to leave, a squad of New Jersey State Police troopers and detectives moved in, arresting the four, seizing the drugs and cash and confiscating several vehicles.
In return for Roque’s cooperation, Deputy Attorney General Philip Mogavero said today, state prosecutors will seek a 10-year prison term. With credit for time served, he technically could be eligible for parole in 1½ years.
But Lustberg, his attorney, said Roque will be deported back to El Salvador once he completes his term.
Superior Court Judge Edward A. Jerejian told Roque he could have faced up to 20 years if he’d been convicted at a trial.
Perez and Mendoza pleaded guilty last week and will be sentenced before Jerejian May 5. Roque’s sentencing is set for May 29.
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