Paterson man busted with $123,255 drug money gets three-year prison sentence
By Jonathan Greene
Published: May 21, 2020
A city man busted in Berkeley Heights last year with $123,255 in drug money was given a three-year prison sentence by a federal judge on Thursday.
Jhensel Jimenez-Taveras, 27-year-old, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, authorities said.
Authorities said Jimenez-Taveras was part of a trafficking and money laundering organization that operated throughout northern New Jersey.
Law enforcement officer observed Jimenez-Taveras engage in a drug sale in Berkeley Heights on April 25, 2019. His vehicle was stopped and had $123,255 in cash inside. Further investigation revealed, Jimenez-Taveras was transferring large sums of money on behalf of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization.
Jimenez-Taveras admitted the cash was the product of a drug sale and that his aim was to transport the cash to fund more drug trafficking activities. As part of sentencing, he has forfeited the drug money.
Judge Susan D. Wigenton sentenced him to 37 months in prison. He was also given a three-year supervised release.