45°
Two defendants in a home invasion robbery and beating of developer Fred Daibes at his Edgewater high-rise plan to plead guilty Thursday in exchange for reduced prison terms, Daily Voice has learned.
A prosecutor today also disclosed the existence of a fifth participant that he’s pressing the others to identify.
Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor David Calviello told Superior Court Judge Edward A. Jerejian in Hackensack that any or all of the four can receive favorable plea bargain terms if they give him up.
Jorge Valencia (STORY / PHOTOS: Courthouse Reporter Mary K. Miraglia)
Ramona Mercado-Vasquez, defense attorney Ron Bar-Nadav acknowledged the alleged co-conspirator’s existence but said his client, Ramona Mercado-Vasquez, wouldn’t dare identify him because “he will kill them and he will kill their whole families first.”
“I’ll take 10 [years],” Mercado-Vasquez shouted in court today, but the judge told her she could expect 40-50 years if convicted of kidnapping, aggravated assault, armed robbery and weapons offenses.
She immediately began weeping, then cried hysterically and threw herself on Bar-Nadav before Bergen County Sheriff’s officers escorted her out.
Accused ringleader Jorge Valencia of Edgewater will accept a plea that carries a prison term of 14-18 years, Calviello told Jerejian. It all depends on how much he cooperates with investigators, Calviello said.
Co-defendant Anthony Suarez, said to be a peripheral participant, will agree to 12 years behind bars in exchange for his plea, he added.
Both are expected to testify if Mercado-Vasquez or co-defendant Adonis Sepulveda go to trial. The couple, who have a son together, have each refused 18-year terms, Calviello said.
Ramona Mercado-Vasquez (STORY / PHOTOS: Courthouse Reporter Mary K. Miraglia)
Calviello described Sepulveda as central in both the conspiracy and vicious Nov. 26, 2013 beating of both Daibes and the doorman at the St. Moritiz off Gorge Road, who was called to the apartment on a ruse and forced to open the door.
Daibes was tied up with a bag over his head so he couldn’t see what was happening, prosecutors said. His ribs were broken and $2 million in cash, gold and jewelry was taken during what became a nearly three-hour ordeal.
All of the stolen merchandise was found in the apartment at the St. Moritz building where Vasquez lived with Sepulveda, Calviello said earlier this year.
Authorities began searching for Valencia almost immediately after arresting Mercado Vasquez and Sepulveda the day after the robbery. They later arrested Suarez, of the Bronx, on Dec. 11, 2013.
After learning of Valencia’s whereabouts, detectives from Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli’s office alerted the Boston Police Fugitive Unit and U.S. Marshal’s Office, who took him into custody in Massachusetts on Jan. 9 of last year.
A defense attorney last year claimed that Valencia fled to the Boston area after being threatened by Daibes’s family. Valencia was willing to work with police but didn’t trust that he’d be protected, she said.
Valencia and Suarez return to court at 9 a.m. Thursday, while Sepulveda and Mercado-Vasquez have one last chance reach plea agreements by 1:30 p.m. or go to trial.
All four defendants remained held on $1 million bail each in the Bergen County Jail. Federal authorities also have slapped a detainer on Valencia.
TOP: Defense attorney Ron Bar-Nadav with Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor David Calviello
ABOVE: Jorge Valencia, Adonis Sepulveda and Ramona Mercado-Vasquez with their attorneys in court
STORY / PHOTOS: Courthouse Reporter Mary K. Miraglia
Click here to follow Daily Voice Hackensack and receive free news updates.
