Somerset Man Admits Being Leader Of Cocaine Trafficking Ring

SOMERSET, NJ — A Somerset man has admitted to operating a drug trafficking network which distributed cocaine in multiple counties, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced.

Michael “Augue” Rodriguez, 40, of the Somerset section of Franklin Township pleaded guilty on April 30 to a first-degree being the leader of a narcotics trafficking network, first-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm.

Under a plea agreement, Rodriguez is facing a prison term of 20 years in state prison of which he must serve 20 years before being eligible for parole.

“Just as prevention, education and treatment are important to our efforts to combat drug use, so too is effective law enforcement. Only by successfully investigating and prosecuting those who profit from the addiction of others, will we be able to address the current crisis,” Carey said.

Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced in New Brunswick by Superior Court Judge Michael A. Toto on August 23.

Rodriguez was among 12 people who were arrested in multiple locations in May 2017 following a wiretap investigation that began in March 2016.

A series of court-ordered searches resulted in the seizure of 900 grams of cocaine from Rodriguez’s home on Hillcrest Avenue, $100,000 in cash from locations in Somerset County and New York City, and seven guns from a storage facility in Somerset, according to Carey.

Also pleading guilty in this case were Keith Groomes, 58, of Somerset. On Dec. 14, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree distribution of a controlled and dangerous substance in exchange for a
recommendation of seven years in state prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28.

Karon Dempsey, 36, of New Brunswick pleaded guilty on March 26, to one count of third-degree possession of a controlled and dangerous substance exchange for a recommendation of four years in state prison with a two-year period of parole ineligibility. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 3.

Dion Hooper, 47, of Somerset pleaded guilty on March 26, to one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute and one count of second-degree eluding (from an unrelated case) in exchange for an
aggregate recommendation of 14 years in state prison with a seven year term of parole ineligibility. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24.

Sandra Carrion, 66, of Somerset pleaded guilty on April 13, one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute in exchange for a recommendation of non-custodial probation. She is scheduled to be
sentenced on May 21.

Meghan Donato, 36, of Highland Park pleaded guilty on April 13, to improper behavior, a petty disorderly persons offense, in exchange for a recommendation of fines only. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14.

Carlos Landron, 47, of Saint Cloud, Florida was enrolled in the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI), on April 10 for a three-year term.

The following defendants who were charged as part of the investigation: Jamie Caban, 36, of East Rutherford; Brian Braxton, 47, of Somerset; Sean Thompson, 32 of North Brunswick; Kenneth Downing, 41, and Kelly Downing, 38, both of Bound Brook, still have pending charges in this case.

Anyone with information may call Detective Michael Coppola of the New Brunswick Police Department at 732-745-5200, or Detective Joseph Celentano of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.

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