NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was convicted at the moment by a federal jury for his position because the gunman in two armed financial institution robberies, U.S. Lawyer Philip R. Sellinger introduced.
Jose Soto, 52, of Passaic, New Jersey, was convicted of two financial institution robberies, conspiracy to commit financial institution theft, and brandishing a firearm throughout these robberies following a six-day jury trial earlier than U.S. District Choose William J. Martini.
In accordance with paperwork on this case and the proof at trial:
On Feb. 6, 2020, Soto and his conspirator, whereas carrying face coverings and holding umbrellas, entered the PNC Financial institution in Passaic. Soto pointed a silver and black handgun at prospects and workers and commenced ordering everybody down on the ground. His conspirator entered the financial institution and jumped over the teller counter, demanding that the teller flip over all money within the drawers. Soto and his conspirator took roughly $35,000 from the PNC Financial institution.
On Feb. 27, 2020, Soto and the identical conspirator entered the Valley Financial institution in Little Falls, New Jersey. Soto once more pointed a silver and black gun at prospects and workers and his conspirator jumped over the teller counter and commenced rifling by numerous drawers. Soto and his conspirator, at gunpoint, pressured the financial institution workers to open the vault, and commenced retrieving money from the financial institution vault. They then pressured all workers and prospects into the financial institution vault and fled by the rear door of the Valley Financial institution. Soto and his conspirator took roughly $45,000 from the Valley Financial institution.
For every financial institution theft cost, Soto faces a most potential penalty of 20 years in jail and a $250,000 high-quality, or twice the gross achieve or loss from the offense, whichever is biggest. For the conspiracy cost, Soto faces a most potential penalty of 5 years in jail and a $250,000 high-quality, or twice the gross achieve or loss from the offense, whichever is biggest. For every rely of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a financial institution theft, Soto faces a compulsory minimal of seven years in jail, a most potential penalty of life imprisonment, and a $250,000 high-quality, or twice the gross achieve or loss from the offense, whichever is biggest. Soto’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2023.
U.S. Lawyer Sellinger credited particular brokers of the FBI, beneath the path of Particular Agent in Cost James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Passaic Police Division, beneath the path of Chief Luis A. Guzman; the Passaic County Sheriff’s Division, beneath the path of Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik; the Little Falls Police Division, beneath the path of Chief Robert A. Thomas III; and the Paterson Police Division, beneath the path of Director Jerry Speziale, with the investigation resulting in at the moment’s conviction.
The federal government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma Spiro and Mark J. Pesce of the Legal Division in Newark.