Alleged David Ortiz shooter indicted in New Jersey on separate drug trafficking, firearm charges
The man suspected of shooting former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz in the Dominican Republic was indicted on separate charges Thursday, officials in New Jersey announced.
Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz was indicted on cocaine and heroin possession charges as well as conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and some cocaine, the Newark U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. The 25-year-old Cruz was also charged with possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Cruz, a resident of Paterson, New Jersey, faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison for the alleged crimes committed there, per the North Jersey Record. He could face more than 40 years.
The charges are not in any relation to the June 9 shooting of Ortiz. Cruz reportedly admitted to the shooting in a Dominican Republic jail cell, but said he shot the wrong person. He is one of 10 suspects arrested and remains in custody.
Dominican Republic authorities announced during a news conference Wednesday that Ortiz was not the target. Sixto David Fernandez was believed to be the actual target and happened to be at the same table and in similar clothing as Ortiz, they said. Fernandez is the cousin of “Gulf Cartel” member Victor Hugo Gomez, who authorities allege was the mastermind.
Ortiz is recovering at a Boston hospital and his status was upgraded to “good” this week, 10 days after swift action possibly saved his life.
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