For Immediate Release:

May 1, 2023

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced that on April 28, 2023, DAVID MARTINEZ of North Bergen, NJ was sentenced to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the death of David Duque Soto in June 2019. 

On June 29, 2019, DAVID MARTINEZ and four co-conspirators planned to commit an armed robbery against David Duque Soto.  At approximately 6:40 p.m. that evening, three of the co-conspirators entered Duque Soto’s apartment to commit the robbery, while DAVID MARTINEZ waited in the get-a-way vehicle.  During the armed robbery, Duque Soto was shot twice and died of his injuries.

On March 13, 2023, a jury convicted DAVID MARTINEZ of felony murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, along with the associated weapons offenses.  On April 28, 2023, the Honorable Margaret M. Foti, P.J.Cr., sentenced DAVID MARTINEZ to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison with a 30-year period of parole ineligibility for his crimes. 

The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutors Suzanne Cevasco and Matthew Fitzpatrick of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, with the assistance of Legal Assistant Catherine Fantuzzi, Esq., Assistant Prosecutor Jaimee Chasmer, and Detective Jakub Glebocki.

Prosecutor Musella thanks the prosecution team for their zealous advocacy for the victim and his family and for helping combat crimes of violence in Bergen County.  Prosecutor Musella also commends the detectives of the Major Crimes Unit as well as members of the Fairview Police Department for their skill and professionalism in investigating this matter.