Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping and Robbery in Paterson

Dramatic Kidnapping Incident Leads to Guilty Plea in Federal Court

Reginald Law, a 38-year-old man from Queens, New York, has admitted to his involvement in a violent kidnapping that occurred in Paterson, New Jersey, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Law's guilty plea came during a session in Newark federal court, overseen by U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin, where he faced charges of kidnapping and committing a Hobbs Act robbery.

Incident Details:

The court documents reveal that on October 8, 2020, Law, along with his accomplice Maurice Cottman, stormed a retail store in Paterson. The duo forcefully abducted an employee, pushing him into the back of a U-Haul truck, and transported him across state lines to New York. During the ordeal, the victim sustained significant injuries. Law confessed that they demanded a ransom from the victim’s family during the kidnapping.

The situation escalated when law enforcement spotted the U-Haul parked in Harlem. As officers approached, Law and Cottman attempted to escape, leading to a vehicle chase that ended with a crash. Cottman was captured at the scene, while Law evaded arrest until May 26, 2021.

Legal Consequences:

Law now faces a life sentence for the kidnapping charge and up to 20 years for the Hobbs Act robbery, with potential fines reaching $250,000 or double the pecuniary gain or loss from the crime. His sentencing is scheduled for January 7, 2025.

Maurice Cottman had previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping and received a 15-year sentence from U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in March 2022.

This case highlights the intense collaboration between the FBI’s Newark and New York offices and the Paterson Police Department, underscoring the severity of cross-state criminal activities and the rigorous pursuit of justice by federal authorities.