TRENTON –
An accused serial robber has admitted to playing a role in 11 robberies, primarily of drug stores, in Harrison, Newark and Jersey City over a period of eight months, it was announced by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.
On July 21, Christopher Mojica, 23, pleaded guilty to an information presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office charging him with one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Mojica was arrested April 27, 2013, in connection with the robberies and was ordered to be held at Essex County Jail, Newark, on $150,000 bond.
Mojica, represented by Woodbridge attorney Paulette Pitt, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton Federal Court. The government’s case was presented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
The government alleged that Mojica conspired with others to rob Pharmacy Plus, 234 Harrison Ave., Harrison, on Feb. 21, 2013.
Additional robberies to which the government has linked Mojica include these: New Barbershop, Sept. 14, 2012; a “gambling operation,” Sept. 2012; Amcare Pharmacy, Nov. 13, 2012; Summer Pharmacy, Dec. 11, 2012; Community Health Pharmacy, Jan. 19, 2013; Delson Jewelry, Feb. 8, 2013; Forest Hill Pharmacy, April 4, 2013; Harris Pharmacy, April 16, 2013; and Delta Gas Station, April 19, 2013, all in Newark; and Montgomery Pharmacy, Jersey City, April 15, 2013.
According to the government, “Mojica and his conspirators robbed each of these establishments at gunpoint, stealing cash, oxycodone pills, jewelry and other items.” And, the government said that at the time of the robbery of the Delta Gas Station, 466 Bloomfield Ave., Newark, “… Mojica fired a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun during his flight from the scene of the robbery.”
The government said that Mojica could draw a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy and robbery charges and that the discharging a firearm charge carries a “minimum consecutive term of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.”
“Each of these charges carries a statutory maximum fine of $250,000,” the government said.
Mojica, who has waived prosecution by indictment, will be sentenced Dec. 8 before Judge Pisano in Trenton.
Fishman credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation leading to the plea. He also thanked the Newark, Harrison and Jersey City Police Departments for their work on the case.
