Man sentenced for kidnapping N.J. business owner, demanding ransom

A man was sentenced Tuesday to 15 decades in jail for kidnapping a Paterson organization owner in 2020 and demanding ransom from his family, federal prosecutors mentioned.

Maurice Cottman, 42, of the Bronx formerly pleaded responsible in federal court to 1 count of kidnapping, in accordance to a statement from U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Expenses against one more guy accused for his purpose in the kidnapping, Reginald Law, remained pending this 7 days.

On Oct. 8, 2020, Cottman and Regulation walked into the Easter Grocery and Foodstuff Marketplace, pistol-whipped the owner, who was not determined, in the facial area and head and then restrained him the back again of a U-Haul truck Law experienced rented underneath a untrue identification, authorities stated.

Afterwards that morning, Cottman named the man’s family members, informed them that he experienced him and demanded quantities as large as $200,000 for his return, Sellinger said.

That afternoon, law enforcement went to Harlem the place they noticed the U-Haul parked on the avenue and when they approached the vehicle, Cottman and Law drove off and ended up pursued by officers, federal prosecutors mentioned.

After a quick chase, the U-Haul crashed, and officers then chased Cottman on foot and arrested him, officials mentioned. They then discovered the store proprietor in the back of U-Haul.

Legislation was arrested on May 26, 2021 and billed with kidnapping and use of a firearm in link with a criminal offense of violence, the FBI formerly said.

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Chris Sheldon might be attained at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.