From the desk of PCP Camelia M. Valdes
PATERSON, NJ – Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jae’Wuan Abrams, 18-years old from Paterson; and a 17-year old juvenile, also from Paterson; were arrested on February 9, 2022 in connection to the homicide that took place on February 1, 2022 at 495 East 19th Street in Paterson, New Jersey.
Both defendants are charged with Murder, first degree; Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree; and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, second degree. At approximately 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area of 495 East 19th Street in Paterson, New Jersey in response to a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located the victim, Mr. Juan Soto, 43-years-old from Paterson, lying on the street in front 495 East 19th Street with apparent gunshot wounds.
Medical personnel arrived and transported Mr. Soto to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The subsequent investigation revealed that Jae’Wuan Abrams and the juvenile were responsible for the murder of Mr. Soto. Abrams was arrested at his residence in Paterson at approximately 1:30 p.m. without incident. The Juvenile was also arrested at his residence in Paterson without incident at approximately 3:10 p.m.
Abrams is currently in custody at the Passaic County Jail and the juvenile is in custody at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed motions for the pre-trial detention for both defendants which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be determined by the Court. The crime of Murder has a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; the crimes of Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, each have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison. Criminal and Juvenile complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120. For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Senior Assistant Prosecutor In-Charge Jorge E. Morales of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at jmorales@passaiccountynj.org or at (973) 837-7706.