Paterson Man Faces Federal Charges for Armed Robberies at Area Pharmacies

NEWARK, NJ — A Paterson man faces federal charges, as well as a lifetime behind bars, for his involvement in a series of armed pharmacy robberies across Passaic County. Onijee Burgess, 26, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Burgess is accused of participating in seven gunpoint robberies of pharmacies in Paterson and Passaic between November 2022 and April 2023. He faces a nine-count indictment, including charges of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and multiple counts of using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

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Law enforcement officials say that extensive video surveillance footage and cell phone data linked Burgess and his alleged accomplice, Antonio Rivera, to the crimes. Rivera, who was previously charged and detained, is also implicated in the conspiracy.

Burgess, who was previously charged by complaint and was detained, will be arraigned on a date to be determined.

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