Story by Ethan
On September 4th, 2024, the arrest of Santiago J. Escobar, age 32, was announced by Acting Morris County Prosecutor Bradford Seabury, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Rockaway Borough Police Department Chief of Police Conrad Pepperman. Santiago J. Escobar was charged with one count of first-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of Five Ounces or more, one count of second-degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of Five Ounces or more, one count of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, one count of fourth-degree Unlawful Sale of a Handgun, one count of fourth-degree Possession of Hollow Nose Bullets, one count of fourth-degree Unlawful Sale of Hollow Nose Bullets, six counts of second-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of One-Half Ounce or more, but less than Five Ounces, five counts of second-degree Distribution of Cocaine in an amount of One-Half Ounce or more, but less than Five Ounces, six counts of third-degree Possession of Cocaine, one count of third-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana in an amount more than One-Ounce but less than Five-Pounds, one count of fourth-degree Possession of more than Six Ounces of Marijuana, one count of fourth-degree Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute, and one count of third-degree Money Laundering.
According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, from April 24th, 2024, to August 21st, 2024, Santiago J. Escobar allegedly distributed over 5 pounds of cocaine, in addition to firearms that included a Tarus handgun and hollow nose bullets in Rockaway, New Jersey. These claims prompted an investigation that uncovered approximately 100 grams of cocaine, several pounds of marijuana, over $1,000 in narcotics materials and proceeds, and instruments and tools commonly used to measure and distribute narcotics and CDS. All materials found were seized by investigators of Santiago J. Escobar’s activities.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Santiago J. Escobar are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
