April 24, 2008: Bronx resident Alexis Martinez, 31 years old, was sentenced by Judge Thomas Manahan, J.S.C. to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison with six and 2/3 years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

The defendant was convicted, along with his codefendant, Jose Rodriguez, by a Morris County Jury on March 5, 2008 of:

-one count of First Degree Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of First Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substance

-one count of Third Degree Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance

The verdict followed a 4 day trial before Judge Manahan. During the trial, testimony revealed that on April 1, 2005 at approximately 10pm, the defendants arrived at a TGI Friday's restaurant in Roxbury. At that time they interacted with an undercover police officer from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit who were ultimately provided with a kilogram of cocaine.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., commended the efforts and trial preparation of Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Corazza, Esq. and Senior Trial Attorney John McNamara, Jr., Esq.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This significant State Prison sentence reflects our commitment to protecting our community from persons who bring drugs into our community. This sends a clear message that we are ready, willing and able to prosecute our cases before juries, secure convictions, and request the maximum sentences allowable by law. My special thanks to the Special Enforcement Unit detectives of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Detective Angelo Rosato, Roxbury Township Police Department, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their collective effort in bringing about this result. I am proud of the partnership and the work that they do on behalf of the citizens of Morris County."

Co-defendant Jose Rodriguez, age 35, of New York City was sentenced on April 23, 2008to 12 years in New Jersey State Prison with six years to be served before he is eligible for parole.

A third defendant, Salvatore Augustine, pled guilty on October 20, 2006 to First Degree Distribution of CDS. He was sentenced on March 18, 2008 to seven and a half years in New Jersey State Prison with 30 months of parole ineligibility. He was represented by John Somohano, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio