Two Charged in Roxbury Motel Shooting Incident

Indictments Follow October Incident Involving Severe Injury

MORRISTOWN, NJ – In a significant development regarding the October 2023 shooting at the Roxbury Motel, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, alongside Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone, have announced the indictment of two individuals, Auraceli A. Maldonado, 24, of Irvington, and Jean Omar Rockson, 33, of Orange. These charges relate to a violent encounter that resulted in a man being shot and severely injured.

The incident, which unfolded on the night of October 18, 2023, has led to Maldonado and Rockson facing multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree robbery and one count of second-degree aggravated assault, among others. Maldonado has been in custody since November under the Criminal Justice Reform Act, with Rockson's arrest occurring on February 15, 2024, following an extensive investigation. Both are currently held at the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Authorities were alerted to the shooting at the Roxbury Motel located on Route 46 in Roxbury at approximately 8:54 p.m. on the incident date. Roxbury Police officers, upon arrival, found a 36-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. Thanks to immediate medical assistance provided by the officers, the victim survived, albeit with severe injuries, and was rushed to a medical center.

Investigations into the event revealed that the victim had intended to meet with an unidentified suspect at the motel. Surveillance footage captured a vehicle, identified as a Honda Accord with New York plates, arriving at the motel. A man and a woman, later alleged to be Maldonado and Rockson, were seen exiting the vehicle. It is further alleged that during this meeting, Maldonado, armed with an AR-style rifle, along with Rockson, attempted to rob the victim, leading to a struggle and the subsequent shooting.

The indictments suggest that Rockson provided the firearm used in the robbery to Maldonado, escalating the severity of the charges against them. Both are set to be arraigned before the Hon. Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C., on March 11, 2024.

Prosecutor Carroll extended his gratitude to the various departments involved in the investigation, highlighting the collaborative effort in bringing the accused to justice. It is important to remember that a criminal complaint is an accusation. Both Maldonado and Rockson are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, adhering to the principles of justice and due process.