Rockaway Man Charged in Cocaine and Firearm Distribution Scheme
Published on September 04, 2024
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Bradford Seabury, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Rockaway Borough Police Department Chief of Police Conrad Pepperman announce the arrest of Santiago J. Escobar, 32, of Rockaway Borough, on complaint warrants for controlled danger substance and firearm charges arising out of his distribution of cocaine and a handgun in Rockaway, New Jersey.
The complaint warrants allege that between the dates of April 24, 2024, and August 21, 2024, Escobar distributed over 5 ounces of cocaine, a Taurus handgun, and hollow nose bullets in Rockaway, New Jersey. As a result of this investigation, on September 3, 2024, approximately 100 grams of cocaine, several pounds of marijuana, over $1,000 of suspected narcotics proceeds, and scales and baggies commonly used to distribute CDS were seized by investigators.
As a result of the investigation, Escobar has been charged with one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of Five Ounces or more, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1), a crime of the First Degree; one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of Five Ounces or more, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1), a crime of the Second Degree; one count of Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), a crime of the Second Degree; one count of Unlawful Sale of a Handgun, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(d), a crime of the Fourth Degree; one count of Possession of Hollow Nose Bullets, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(f), a crime of the Fourth Degree; one count of Unlawful Sale of Hollow Nose Bullets, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9(f), a crime of the Fourth Degree; six counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of One-Half Ounce or more, but less than Five Ounces, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(2), a crime of the Second Degree; five counts of Distribution of Cocaine in an amount of One-Half Ounce or more, but less than Five Ounces, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(2), a crime of the Second Degree; six counts of Possession of Cocaine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), a crime of the Third Degree; one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana in an amount more than One-Ounce but less than Five-Pounds, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(b)(11)(b), a crime of the Third Degree; one count of Possession of more than Six Ounces of Marijuana, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(3)(b), a crime of the Fourth Degree; one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a crime of the Fourth Degree; and one count of Money Laundering, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25(a), a crime of the Third Degree.
Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Escobar has been detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility, pending a motion for pretrial detention.
Acting Prosecutor Bradford Seabury wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Rockaway Borough Police Department, Town of Boonton Police Department, Morristown Police Department, Roxbury Township Police Department, Dover Police Department, FBI-Newark Division, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, who worked jointly on this investigation.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In accordance with state law, the defendant’s arrest photograph will not be released.
Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to mknab@co.morris.nj.us.