PRESS RELEASE

TO: ALL NEWS MEDIA
FROM: PROSECUTOR JOHN L. MOLINELLI
DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2006

CONTACT: PROSECUTOR JOHN MOLINELLI (201) 226-5101
PREFERABLY:
OR: CHIEF MICHAEL MORDAGA (201) 226-5500


          At approximately 4:42 a.m. on September 22, 2006, the Fort Lee Police Department received a 911 emergency call from a desk clerk at the Holiday Inn hotel located at 2339 Route 4 East, Fort Lee New Jersey. At that time, the clerk reported that a guest at the hotel, later identified as Allan Plowden, age 41, had come to the front desk and reported that a shooting had occurred in room 408 of the hotel. When Fort Lee police arrived, they found an individual identified as Gisselle Nieves, age 24, inside Room 408. Plowden was observed by the responding officers exiting the room carrying a backpack which was found to contain approximately $30,000 of what was believed to be his own money. As the officers encountered Plowden, who had been using an assumed name at the hotel, they observed the dead body of an adult male lying on the floor just inside the open door with an apparent gunshot wound to his head area.

          The victim was later identified as David R. Taylor, DOB 6/27/77, who had been staying in Room 227 of the hotel with an individual identified as Maite Castro, age 23. Castro was later found inside that room.

          An autopsy was conducted on Saturday, September 23, 2006 by Dr. Wayne Williams of the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office who determined that the cause of death was due to a gunshot wound to the head.

          An investigation by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the Fort Lee Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff's Department determined that Allan Plowden and David Taylor were acquaintances and business associates who were involved in fraudulent activities and who had previously arrived together at the Holiday Inn. Further investigation revealed a connection between Gisselle Nieves, Maite Castro, and two other individuals identified as Julio Cruz and Edward Blancaneaux who had at one time discussed robbing Plowden and Taylor.

          Based on this investigation thus far the following individuals were charged with the following crimes and bail was set by the Honorable Harry G. Carroll, J.S.C.:

          Allan Plowden of 19380 Marcus Commons Ave., Sunny Isle Beach, Florida.-- Money Laundering, Possession of a Fictitious Credit Card and Possession of Devices or Materials to Make False Identifications. Bail was set in the amount of $100,000 no 10%.

          Maite Castro of 2750 Olinville Ave., Apt. 4D, Bronx, NY.-- Two charges of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery of Allan Plowden and also David Taylor. Bail was set at $100,000 no 10%.

          Gisselle Nieves of 813 Courtland Ave., Bronx, NY.-- Two charges of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery of Allan Plowden and David Taylor. Bail was set at $35,000 no 10%.

          Julio Cruz, age 27, of 1664 Macombs Road, Apt. 5I, Bronx, NY.-- Two charges of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery of Allan Plowden and David Taylor. Bail was set at $100,000 no 10%.

          Edward Blancaneaux, age 30, of 2181 Wallace Ave., Apt 6A, Bronx, NY.-- Two charges of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery of Allan Plowden and David Taylor. Bail was set at $100,000 no 10%.

          First appearances are scheduled for these individuals before Honorable William C. Meehan, PJSC at 1:30 p.m. in Room 307 of the Bergen County Justice Center located in Hackensack, NJ.

          It is anticipated that there may be further charges and/or arrests in the future. However, because this case is still under active investigation, absolutely no further information will be released at this time.

          Prosecutor Molinelli states that these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.





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Edward Blancaneauex
Age: 30
Bronx, New York
NJS 2C:5-2/2C:15-1 -
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery





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Gina Maria Conway
Age: 29
Bronx, New York
NJS 2C: 11-3a(1)(2) – Murder
NJS 2C:15-1 - Robbery
NJS 2C:11-3a(3) -
Felony Murder



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Julio A. Cruz
Age: 27
Bronx, New York
NJS 2C:5-2/2C:15-1 -
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery





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Turon Gholston
Age: 29
Bloomfield, New Jersey
NJS 2C: 20-7 -
Receiving Stolen Property
NJS 2C: 29-3a -
Hindering Apprehension



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Maite Castro
Age: 23
Bronx, New York
NJS 2C:5-2/2C:15-1 -
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery





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Gisselle Nieves
Age: 24
Bronx, New York
NJS 2C:5-2/2C:15-1 -
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery





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Kelvin Leerdam
Age: 21
Manhattan, New York
NJS 2C: 11-3a(1)(2) - Murder
NJS 2C:11-3a(3) - Felony Murder
NJS 2C:15-1 - Robbery
NJS 2C:39-4a - PSN of a Weapon
For Unlawful Purpose
NJS 2C:39-5b - PSN of a Weapon
Without Permit
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Charly Wingate aka Max B
Age: 28
Bronx, New York
NJS 2C: 11-3a(3) – Felony Murder
NJS 2C:15-1 - Robbery
NJS 2C:5-2/2C:15-1 -
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery



End of Release.




PRESS RELEASE

TO: ALL NEWS MEDIA
FROM: PROSECUTOR JOHN L. MOLINELLI
DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2006

CONTACT: PROSECUTOR JOHN MOLINELLI (201) 226-5101
PREFERABLY:
OR: CHIEF MICHAEL MORDAGA (201) 226-5500

          Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced the arrest of Luis Rodriguez, (d.o.b.: 10/30/72) of 319 Post Avenue, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Rodriguez was arrested on September 24, 2006.

          The arrest came as a result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Squad, under the direction of Chief Michael Mordaga and the Lyndhurst Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief James O'Connor.

          On September 24, 2006, a report was made by a seven year old female, who reported that she was awoken by Luis Rodriguez who was in the act of forcing the victim to perform oral sex on him. The sexual assault occurred during the early morning hours at Rodriguez's residence in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.

          As a result of the information provided by the victim, Luis Rodriguez was arrested and charged with Aggravate Sexual Assault, a 1st degree crime and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a 2nd degree crime. Bail was set by the Honorable Sebastian Gaeta, J.S.C., at $200,000.00 with no 10% option and no contact with the victim. Rodriguez's first appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 9:30 p.m., at Lyndhurst Municipal Court.

          Prosecutor Molinelli states that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would like to thank the Lyndhurst Police Department for their assistance and cooperation in the investigation.

CHARGE INFORMATION FORM

DEFENDANT: Luis Rodriguez
DOB: 04/10/72
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 319 Post Avenue
Lyndhurst, New Jersey
MARITAL STATUS: Married
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Iron Worker


ARREST INFORMATION

FUGITIVE:
NON-FUGITIVE: X
ORIGINATING AGENCIES: Bergen County Prosecutor's Office
Lyndhurst Police Department
CASE DETECTIVE: Detective Alyssa Morrone
DATE AND TIME OF ARREST: 09/24/06 at 4:00 p.m.
AGENCIES AFFECTING ARREST: Bergen County Prosecutor's Office
Lyndhurst Police Department


CHARGE AND STATUTE CITATIONS

2C:14-2a(1) Aggravated Sexual Assault (1 count)     1st degree
2C:24-4a. Endangering the Welfare of a Child (1 count)     2nd degree


ARRAIGNMENT INFORMATION

ARRAIGNMENT DATE: 09/26/06 at 9:30 p.m.
JUDGE: Sebastian Gaeta, J.S.C.
BAIL AMOUNT & CONDITIONS: $200,000.00 with No 10% Option. No contact with victim.
Set by Honorable Sebastian Gaeta J.S.C.

End of Release.

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