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Jason Thompson, a 33-year-old ex-con from Paterson, and Clemente R. Carlos, 29, of Newark were wearing sheriff's uniforms when they accosted a woman and her infant as they were leaving their home around 7 a.m. Aug. 12, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.
They led her back into her apartment, where Thompson pulled out a gun from a sidearm holster and pointed it at the victim’s brother, who'd been sleeping, he said.
"Thompson then used a zip-tie to restrain the man’s hands behind his back and instructed him to kneel on the floor," Fishman said. "After searching the apartment and failing to find the money they were looking for, Carlos and Thompson then left the residence."
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office charged both men with various kidnapping, robbery, child endangerment and weapons offenses in December.
Fishman's prosecutors, in turn, charged them with the Hobbs Act, a conspiracy charge that, upon conviction, can put a defendant in federal prison for up to 20 years.
Thompson also faces a charge of being a felon with a firearm.
Both had appearances scheduled Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Newark. They remained in custody.
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