Passaic County Man Indicted for Seven Gunpoint Robberies of Pharmacies

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for his role in seven gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Passaic County, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Onijee Burgess, 26, of Paterson, New Jersey, is charged in a nine-count indictment 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. Burgess, who was previously charged by complaint and was detained, will be arraigned on a date to be determined.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From November 2022 through April 5, 2023, Burgess conspired with Antonio Rivera and others to commit seven separate armed robberies of five different pharmacies in Paterson and  Passaic, New Jersey. Law enforcement collected an extensive amount of video surveillance footage and cell phone data that ultimately linked Burgess and Rivera to the robberies. Rivera, Burgess’ conspirator, was previously charged by complaint and is detained. 

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.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited members of the FBI’s New Jersey field office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also thanks members of the Paterson Police Department, under the leadership of Officer in Charge Isa M. Abbassi; members of the Passaic Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Luis Guzman; members of the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, under the leadership of Acting Sheriff Gary F. Giardina; members of the Clifton Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi; members of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, under the leadership of Chief Jason Love; and members of the Cedar Grove Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief John J. Kennedy.

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 the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.