Defendant Enters Guilty Plea to Dec. 29, 2012 Parsippany Carjacking
Published on November 18, 2014
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Parsippany Police Chief Paul Philipps announce that defendant Joseph DeFreitas, 43, entered a guilty plea before the Honorable James M. DeMarzo, J.S.C. to one count of First Degree Carjacking.
The defendant DeFreitas and co-defendant Marilyn Nadeau, 53, were indicted on charges of First Degree Carjacking; First Degree Kidnapping; First Degree Robbery; Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; Third Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and Third Degree Credit Card Fraud. These charges stem from an abduction of a 71-year-old woman in Parsippany on December 29, 2012.
On December 29, 2012, the victim, a resident of New Hampshire, had become lost while traveling home from a visit with her family in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. While attempting to locate assistance for directions, the victim entered a parking lot, whereupon she was approached by DeFreitas who forced the victim into the passenger seat of her car. DeFreitas then took control of the victim's vehicle and drove the car to an automated teller machine in Parsippany. DeFreitas forced the victim to reveal her personal identification number to complete a cash withdrawal. It is alleged that the victim complied and after completing the transaction, the victim was driven, with Nadeau following, to an industrial building parking lot on Woodhollow Road in Parsippany. Nadeau parked the car, at which time DeFreitas and Nadeau allegedly forced the victim into the trunk of her own car. The victim freed herself from the trunk of her vehicle and called for help.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the State will recommend a 25 year New Jersey State Prison sentence. The defendant will have to serve 85% of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act. All remaining charges will be dismissed.
Sentencing is scheduling for December 19, 2014.
Charges against the co-defendant, Marilyn Nadeau, remain open and are scheduled for December 2, 2014. These criminal charges are only accusations. She is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case is being prosecuted by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Peter Foy and Assistant Prosecutor Brian DiGiacomo.
Prosecutor Knapp thanks Parsippany Police Chief Philipps, former Parsippany Police Chief Anthony DeZenzo and the Parsippany Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, the East Rutherford Police Department, the Trenton Police Department, the Woodland Park Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, as well as Connecticut law enforcement authorities.
Any inquiries can be directed to Supervising Assistant Morris County Prosecutor Peter Foy at 973-285-6290 or pfoy@co.morris.nj.us.