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At the same time, another judge sentenced Lydia Cruz’s son, Irving Sanchez Jr. of Ridgefield Park, to five years in state prison.
Yet to be sentenced is Cruz’s husband, 52-year-old William Diaz, also of Lodi. A May 17 date was set by Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Roma, who this morning sentenced the 55-year-old Cruz.
Cruz, who could be eligible for parole after only 18 months, pleaded in February to conspiring to sell heroin with her husband and son.
Sanchez, who pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy and money laundering, was sentenced today by Superior Court Presiding Judge Liliana DeAvila-Silebi.
“We are faced with an alarming trend in which young people across New Jersey are becoming addicted to prescription painkillers, then switching to heroin as a cheaper alternative,” said state Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said.
This case, along with other measures, are aimed at fighting that trend, he said.
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Cruz, Diaz and Sanchez were arrested on Aug. 21, 2011 by detectives of the state Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau as a result of an investigation called “Operation Wakerider.”
The Division of Criminal Justice began investigating the three family members in early 2011 and determined that Diaz was dealing thousands of dollars in heroin per week in Manhattan and laundering the proceeds with the assistance of Cruz and Sanchez, state authorities said.
“This really was a family affair,” said Elie Honig, director of the state Division of Criminal Justice.
After arresting the trio, detectives executed a search warrant at Diaz and Cruz’s Lodi home, where they seized more than five ounces of raw heroin, roughly $240,000 in cash, a small amount of cocaine, and packaging materials.
Another $146,000 turned up in the car Diaz and Cruz were driving when they were arrested, at Sanchez’s residence, and in a pair of safety deposit boxes.
State authorities are seeking forfeiture of the cash, as well as a 2007 Cadillac Escalade and a 2005 Chrysler that belonged to the defendants.
Cruz had been free on $700,000 bail since January 2012 when she came before Roma for sentencing on April 19.
Following an exchange with defense attorney Remi L. Spencer, however, the judge directed Bergen County Sheriff’s officers to take Cruz back to the county jail until today’s hearing.
“I just don’t know what you’re doing,” Roma told Spencer during what was supposed to be a routine procedure. “I respectfully request you refer to points that have to do with the sentence.”
“I’m advocating,” the defense attorney replied, repeating her request for an 8-week postponement so that Cruz (above) could attend to an undisclosed matter involving her youngest daughter.
Roma reminded her that a previous request already was denied. “We are here for the sentencing,” he said.
Spencer persisted, however, raising the judge’s ire.
“All right. I’ve had it,” Roma said. “I’ll see you back here at 1:30.”
Spencer objected, saying she had to be in another county after lunch.
At that point, Roma stopped the hearing and ordered that Cruz be taken into custody, as upset family members watched in shock.
“I’m fully aware whenever I send someone to jail it’s a hardship on their family,” the judge said. “It’s not a surprise that your client is going to jail for 10 years.”
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According to Chiesa:
The investigation was conducted for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau by Detective Travis Johnson, under the direction of Deputy Chief of Detectives Charles Foley. Deputy Attorney General Veronica Allende presented the case to the state grand jury for indictment. Deputy Attorney General Betty Rodriguez prosecuted the defendants. The Division of Criminal Justice was assisted by the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department, the Boonton Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Electronic Surveillance Unit, and the Ridgefield Park Police Department.
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