Onijee Burgess, Pharmacy Robberies, New Jersey 2023

Newark, NJ – A brazen crime spree came to an end yesterday, as Onijee Burgess, 26, of Paterson, New Jersey, was indicted by a federal grand jury for his role in seven gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Passaic County, New Jersey.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Burgess conspired with Antonio Rivera and others to commit the robberies from November 2022 through April 5, 2023. The group targeted five different pharmacies in Paterson and Passaic, New Jersey, leaving a trail of fear and destruction in their wake.

The investigation into the robberies was a collaborative effort involving members of the FBI’s New Jersey field office, the Paterson Police Department, the Passaic Police Department, the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, the Clifton Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, and the Cedar Grove Police Department.

Burgess is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence count also carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. The using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which also must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greatest.

Burgess, who was previously charged by complaint and was detained, will be arraigned on a date to be determined. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations, and Burgess is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/passaic-county-man-indicted-seven-gunpoint-robberies-pharmacies