Memphis Morales
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In- Charge
Isa Abbassi announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department
Shooting Investigation Unit, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, The New Jersey State Police
Fugitive Unit, and the Unted States Marshal’s Service New York/ New Jersey Regional Fugitive
Task Force, New Jersey State Police K-9 North Unit, Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms, and Explosives,
and Passaic County Swat, Memphis Morales 21 years-old, from Paterson New Jersey, was arrested
on January 12, 2024, in connection to the shooting that took place on January 11, 2024, in the area
of Arch Street and Garfield Avenue, Paterson, New Jersey. Morales is charged with Attempted
Murder, first degree, Unlawful Possession of Handgun, second degree, Possession of a Handgun
for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, Certain Person not to Possess a Weapon, second degree,
Burglary, second degree, and Terroristic Threats, third degree.
At approximately 4:18 p.m. on January 11, 2024, members of the Paterson Police Department were
dispatched to the area of Arch Street and Garfield Avenue in Paterson, New Jersey on a report of
a shooting. Upon their arrival, members of the Paterson Police Department located the victim, a
28-year-old male Paterson resident. The victim was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical
Center in Paterson, New Jersey seeking treatment for non-fatal gunshot wound. The subsequent
investigation revealed that Mr. Morales was responsible for the shooting. Morales was arrested
on January 12, 2024, by members of law enforcement without incident.
Morales was also charged in connection to the September 17, 2023, shooting in the area of Market
Street and Pennington Street, in Paterson. At approximately 2:23 a.m. on September 17, 2023,
members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the area of Market Street and
Pennington Street in Paterson, New Jersey on a report of a shooting. Upon arrival members of the
Paterson Police Department located a 34-year-old male Secaucus, New Jersey resident who
sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound and was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical
Center in Paterson, New Jersey for treatment. Or the September shooting, Morles was charged
with Attempted Murder, first degree, Robbery, first degree, Unlawful Possession of Handgun,
second degree, Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, Certain Person
not to Possess a Weapon, second degree.
Additionally, Morales was charged in connection to an incident of Domestic Violence from
November 5, 2023, in Paterson. Morales was charged with Unlawful Possession of Handgun,
second degree, Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, Terroristic
Threats, third degree, and Receiving Stolen Property, third degree, Possession of Hallow Point
Bullets, fourth degree, and Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine, fourth degree.
The crimes of Attempted Murder, first degree, and Robbery, first degree, both have a sentencing
range of 10 to 20 years in prison with a requirement to serve 85% of the sentence before parole
eligibility. Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, and Unlawful
Possession of a Weapon, second degree, both have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison
with 42 months to be served before parole eligibility. The crime of Certain Person not to Possess
a Weapon has a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison with 5 years to be served before parole
eligibility. The crime of Burglary, second degree, has a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison
with a requirement to serve 85% of the sentence before parole eligibility. The crimes of Terroristic
Threats and Receiving Stolen Property, third degree, have a sentencing range of 3 to 5 years in
prison. Possession of Hallow Point Bullets, fourth degree, and Possession of a High-Capacity
Magazine, fourth degree, have a sentenced range of up to 18 months in prison.
The State will file a motion for pretrial detention that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite these accusations, defendants are presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These investigations remain active and ongoing. More information will be released once it
becomes available.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this
incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact
the Paterson Police Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.
